Sir, - Recent reports in the media about Noreen Byrne, chairperson of the NWCI, have simply repeated the same old line that a woman who aspires to give women the CHOICE of independence from men, is necessarily anti men. They have paid no attention to the valuable nature of her involvement in the women's movement in Ireland.
Noreen has worked to increase the diversity of women represented by the women's movement and the NWCI, focusing on the needs of lone parents and marginalised women. She has brought a new emphasis to the movement addressing what has been regarded as one of its major criticisms that it is relevant only to the middle classes.
It strikes me that to characterise Noreen Byrne as anti men based on a few misquotes in an article, and outside the context of her work, is very similar to the way in which the women's movement is characterised as being either anti men or anti women in the home, without regard to the complexity and diversity of the movement or to its many achievements and aspirations.
I do not by any means wish to suggest that either Noreen Byrne or the women's movement is above criticism. However, what is required is a more detailed and informed debate, from which we can all learn and not mere political point scoring. - Yours, etc,
Co ordinator,
Cork Women's Political Associ ation,
24 Father Matthew Road,
Turner's Cross, Cork.