British Secretary of State urged to restore funding to women’s groups

The British Secretary of State Chris Heaton Harris has been urged to restore funding to several women's groups in the Derry City and Strabane District Council area.

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood MP and Foyle MLAs Sinéad McLaughlin and Mark H Durkan, alongside Sinn Féin and DUP representatives, have written to Mr Heaton Harris on the issue.

The Women’s Centre Derry, Waterside Women’s Centre and Strathfoyle Women’s Activities Group have all been impacted by the loss of European Social Fund (ESF) money.

Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin said: "The loss of ESF money without adequate replacement has the potential to devastate the women’s sector in Derry. Last week’s announcement has caused serious concern in our city, with these groups giving vital support to vulnerable people and playing an important role in our community, providing educational and employment opportunities to those who need them most.

"We have already seen six job losses at the Women’s Centre Derry, with a further six jobs at risk. These are people who are doing excellent work in this area, jobs that they loved and now they are being forced to look for other work due to the lack of funding provided. The loss of these groups would have a profound negative impact on life in Derry and we cannot stand by and allow this to take place.

"I’m heartened to see parties coming together to speak as one on this major issue. We are appealing directly to Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris to recognise the severity of this situation and to intervene and make sure these groups are properly funded. We cannot pay lip service to the idea of supporting women in our society while slashing the budgets of the very organisations that exist to do just that.”