New coalition formed to challenge views of national women's council

A new coalition of women's, family and pro-life groups has been set up to challenge the views of the National Women's Council of Ireland.

The group called Neart (strength) claims that many women's views have been sidelined by the Government and by what it describes as radical feminist lobby groups. It wants education and information funding to the NWCI halted until the council represents all sectors, including pro-life and pro-family interests.

Neart has over 20 affiliate groups, according to Mr Pat Buckley, chairman of the coalition. Groups involved include Mothers Working at Home, Women in Politics and Human Life International.

At the group's inauguration yesterday, Ms Teresa Heaney of Mothers Working at Home said successive governments had neglected the needs of ordinary, decent, hard-working, full-time mothers. "Unlike their radical feminist sisters, these women have not been sufficiently vocal and strident, with the result that they have been sidelined by politicians and taken for granted."

Neart argues that policies which give women money or benefits so that others can rear their children are detrimental to the child and to good parenting skills.

It maintains that contraceptive provision leads to an increase in abortion and calls for the full prohibition of abortion in Ireland.

Meanwhile, the National Women's Council and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform held a forum in Dublin Castle yesterday to discuss progress since the 1995 Beijing women's conference.