Council: Sexism and body image 'still live issues for a lot of young people'

Youth workers need support in tackling the issues of sexism, body image and sexuality online when dealing with young people.

A conference hosted by the National Youth Council of Ireland, will today shine a spotlight on the issues and highlight the negative impact they can have on young people, especially women.

The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr James Reilly, is opening the event.

Daniel Meister, Communications Manager with the National Youth Council of Ireland, says the conference is part of a wider effort to support youth workers.

He said: "The National Youth Council of Ireland's member organisations work with about 380,000 young people up and down the country.

"I suppose what this conference is responding to is the fact that sexism online, body image and sexuality are still live issues for a lot of young people.

"So the conference itself is part of our work to support those working with young people to tackle these and other gender-related issues."