Cork-based non-profit Saoirse receives ‘Mná na hÉireann’ funding

A SOCIAL enterprise founded by migrant women living in Cork is among initiatives to benefit from a $1m fund aimed at promoting local education and employment.

Cork-based non-profit organisation, Saoirse, received Mná na hÉireann funding to support women at risk of various forms of disadvantage and discrimination in the community.

It is hoped that more than 800 women across the country will gain opportunities from the $1m Mná na hÉireann, Women of Ireland Empowerment Fund.

Five non-profit organisations in total are set to receive funding as part of the initiative.

They also include the Higher education network EQUAL Ireland which offers accredited education and training programmes, particularly for those who missed out on educational opportunities earlier in life.

Jobcare, which assists those struggling with the effects of long-term unemployment is also on the list as well as Meath Travellers’ Workshops and One Family which specialises in helping single-parent families.

Building on the success of the previous Mná na hÉireann Women of Ireland Fund, which supported more than 1,000 women to gain employment, the initiative aims to support women facing intersecting forms of disadvantage to access employment and education.

CEO of Rethink Ireland, Deirdre Mortell acknowledged their dedication to empowering women through career and employment opportunities.

“The Mná na hÉireann Empowerment Fund is dedicated to empowering women who are experiencing multiple forms of disadvantage and marginalisation. 

"It is critical that we enable this group of women through education and employment, to change not only their lives but also the lives of their families. Moving women out of poverty and into decent work is the one-generation solution to poverty. This is the focus of the five non-profit organisations announced today," she said. 

She added:"We’re delighted to continue our longstanding partnership with Bank of America and the Department of Rural and Community Development, in supporting organisations who aim to tackle these issues.”