The week of International Women’s Day along with March being international, Women’s History Month with a flurry of events celebrating women’s achievements and contributions. Amidst the myriad of activities, it’s always a challenge to attend and acknowledge all the remarkable programs and events that occur not only during this week but throughout the year.
Our Inclusive Participatio n Officer, Natalie Niederman had the honour of being one of the speakers at the NI Assembly International Women’s Day event, graciously hosted by Northern Ireland Assembly Speaker, Edwin Poots MLA. The event provided a platform for Natalie and five other inspirational women from diverse sectors to share insights in alignment with this year’s theme, ‘Inspire Inclusion.’ Keynote speeches were delivered to highlight career accomplishments across various industries in Northern Ireland.
Natalie’s speech showcased some of the impactful programs thriving in Northern Ireland, such as Game Changers supported by the IFA and Electric Ireland, Community Organization WISPA, and At the Heart of the Game led by Anna Pim, one of our esteemed Role Models. However, her speech stressed the significance of investing in sports and recreation, not merely for physical well-being but also for mental health, breaking barriers, confidence building, and development of one’s personal community
“It is essential to have a cohesive strategy that invests in infrastructure and facilities to make sports accessible to all, while also celebrating the creation of happy, confident, motivational women at all levels of sport and physical activity. We should not have to pick who gets to play because there isn’t enough pitches or no flood lights,” highlights some of the needs the Female Sports Forum sees going forward.
The event featured distinguished keynote speakers including Lady Chief Justice Dame Siobhan Keegan, Lesley Hogg, Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Professor Cathy Gormley-Heenan OBE, University Provost UUJ, Catherine McKeever, President of the Ulster Society of Women Artists, and Patricia O’Hagan MBE, Technology Entrepreneur, alongside numerous other women in leadership roles from across Northern Ireland.
Speaker Edwin Poots MLA remarked, “I was delighted to host this evening’s event in celebration of International Women’s Day 2024 and to listen to our inspirational keynote speakers. The theme of International Women’s Day this year is ‘Inspire Inclusion.’ Across various sectors, the presence of women in leadership roles is becoming more common, yet we acknowledge the need for continuous support, encouragement, and enhancement of women’s participation at the highest echelons of society. This is a shared responsibility for both women and men.”
In essence, the Female Sports Forum is committed to advocating for an inclusive and supportive sporting environment. It was a remarkable opportunity to showcase our achievements while also reflecting on areas where further improvements can be made.