About Us > About Women of the World

Background
Women of the World (WOW) was formed to support and celebrate the growing ethnically and culturally diverse individuals and their families who live in and around County Fermanagh.

The anecdotal indication of need for such support was confirmed by a piece of research commissioned by WOW and entitled ‘Fermanagh: Hearing Other Voices’. This study highlighted how the health and self-confidence of minority ethnic women living in County Fermanagh have been negatively impacted upon as a result of isolation, loneliness and racism displayed overtly and more subtly at different levels of society.

WOW acknowledges that fear, suspicion and ignorance can act as barriers to celebrating diversity and with this in mind, WOW is determined that its membership and ‘friends’ will grow in strength and in commitment to working together to tackle the very barriers that prevent the emergence of real and meaningful dialogue and relationships.

Mission statement:
WOW wants to bring women together from different cultures in a supportive environment, and to promote acceptance and respect for ethnic and cultural differences, contributing to a more peaceful, more understanding and truly diverse Northern Irish society.

Women of the World aims to:
• Promote solidarity, respect, diversity, equality of opportunity and a sense of interdependence amongst people in County Fermanagh, in Northern Ireland and further a field;
• Enhance the quality of women’s lives irrespective of their cultural or ethnic origin(s), religious beliefs/ background/outlook, social or economic status, or whether they have a disability or not;
• Offer a supportive and open environment where women can learn from and share with one another;
• Contribute to and take an active part in Northern Ireland in our local community and in Northern Ireland.

Objectives of the Group:
• To build and strengthen links with other groups and organisations with a similar focus in Fermanagh, Northern Ireland and further a field;
• To support women from different ethnic/cultural backgrounds in County Fermanagh in ways that will improve their quality of life;
• To develop, provide and manage a programme of activities that will contribute to the well-being of minority ethnic women;
• To organise, facilitate and/or participate in events (including workshops and seminars) that promote improved awareness of cultural and ethnic diversity and which contribute to acceptance of NI as a truly pluralistic society;
• To assess and provide/access training, guidance and advice on issues affecting the lives of minority ethnic people in general and in particular, women from different cultural backgrounds in County Fermanagh.

Contact details:

Name
Virginia Swift (Secretary)

Address
118 Keady Road
Gortgranagh
Lisnakea
County Fermanagh
BT92 0DL

Group Photos