Letter campaign seeks fair deal for women

MORE THAN 10,000 letters were delivered to the door of Finance Minister Brian Cowen yesterday in a campaign to end discrimination against women in the social welfare system.

The campaign, led by the National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI), is demanding changes to the system so women will be more financially independent and have increased access to pensions.

“Women have contributed substantially to the creation of Ireland’s wealth by juggling paid employment with unpaid care work, yet the structure of the social welfare system has not changed to accommodate women,” NWCI head of policy Orla O’Connor said.