Cairde is reaching out the Polish community in Ireland to raise awareness of the breast cancer and Brest check programme.

Gabriela Kownacka, a noted Polish actress died recently of breast cancer. On 19^th of February, 2011, to commemorate her achievements and raise awareness of breast cancer, the Polish Cultural and Social Association hosted an event “Lady Gabi”. The evening included screening movies starring Kownacka and a presentation about breast cancer awareness by Cairde.

For more info email Emilia Marchelewska – email hidden; JavaScript is required; info in the Polish language on www.forumpolonia.org.

As we mark the seventh International Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Day this year, the Steering Committee of Ireland’s National Plan of Action to Address FGM reiterates its call to ensure that Ireland continues to prioritise reform in domestic policy and practice in line with the National Plan of Action.

The Steering Committee today reiterates its’ concern over Ireland’s slow progress in the implementation of the recommendations outlined within the National Plan, particularly in light of an increase in the number of women who have experienced FGM living in Ireland, which reflects the increase in size of the vulnerable populations in the country. The Steering Committee hereby highlights the urgency of progress required, in line with those recommendations.

Research undertaken by AkiDwA in September 2010 found that the estimated number of women with FGM living in Ireland from has increased from 2,585 to 3,170 within the last three years.

The National Steering Committee on FGM welcomes recent legislative progress. The Criminal Justice (Female Genital Mutilation) Bill 2010 was introduced to the Dáil on January 18^th, 2011. However, with the suspension of the Dáil for the upcoming General Election the Bill did not pass through the Houses of the Oireachtas and into the statute book.

On the 31^st January, 2011 the National Steering Committee on FGM wrote to all political parties contesting the forthcoming General Election asking for:

“strong worded, and public, commitments to ensure that legislation on the practice of FGM will be at the top of their policy agenda, will form part of their election manifesto and any subsequent programme for Government in which they assume responsibility.

“… that your party declare now, that if you are to form part of the new Government, that the explicit criminalisation of FGM will be accorded the appropriate priority within that Government’s Programme.”

Female Genital Mutilation is a gross violation of human rights that denies women and girls their rights to physical and mental integrity, freedom from violence, the highest attainable standards of health, freedom from torture, cruel, inhumane and degrading treatments and discrimination on the basis of sex.  As such, the reform laid out within the National Plan of Action to Address Female Genital Mutilation is a women’s and children’s rights imperative, that must be upheld.

Salome Mbugua CEO of AkiDwA says: “Many children are still open to enduring FGM, the legislation would be an excellent way of enhancing our work in AkiDwA on this area, it gives a clear message that this practice is not acceptable either in or outside Ireland.

Ireland’s National Plan of Action to Address Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) was launched on the 25th November 2008 by;

AkiDwA,  Amnesty International (Irish Section), Bernardos, Cairde, Integration  Centre, Irish Family Planning Association, Irish Aid, Refugee Information Service, National Women’s Council of Ireland,  Somali Community Ireland, Somali Community in Ireland, Women’s Health Council, UNICEF Ireland

Ireland’s National Action Plan Key Goals:

• Prevent the practice of FGM in Ireland.
• Provide high quality, appropriate health care and support for women and girls who have undergone FGM.
• Contribute to the worldwide campaign to end FGM.

A copy of Ireland’s National Action Plan is available at http://www.akidwa.ie/fgm.php

International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital

The International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) each year raises awareness about this practice. Female genital mutilation of any type is recognized as a harmful practice and a violation of the human rights of girls and women. Female genital mutilation refers to all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. Female genital mutilation has no known health benefits. On the contrary, it is associated with a series of short and long-term risks to both physical, mental and sexual health and well-being.

Practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

According to the  World Health Organisation (WHO) FGM is affecting about 140 million girls and women, and more than 3 million girls are at risk every year.

In today’s Irish Times

Cairde attended the Trinity College Dublin (TCD) Chinese Alumni One-Year Anniversary Celebration evening on the 25^th January, 2011.

During the last 12 months, since its establishment TCD Chinese Alumni association has made a national reputation for itself in Ireland. 2010 witnessed a rise in numbers of alumni members and activities organized for them. One of them was an information session for the Chinese community in September 2010, a collaborative initiative between the TCD Chinese Alumni, Crosscare and Cairde. It started a ongoing cooperation between Cairde TCD Chinese Alumni aiming to support Chinese community to access information and advocacy. Information sessions on different topics for association members are planned for 2011. More info email hidden; JavaScript is required.

Cairde encourages women from ethnic minorities to take free smear tests as a part of CervicalCheck programme for women between 25-60 years old.

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women under 44 worldwide. Each year, 500,000 new cases of invasive cervical cancer are diagnosed globally and more than 250,000 women die from the disease.

A smear test only takes a few minutes and it is the most effective way to detect changes in the cells of the cervix (neck of the womb). The earlier cell changes are found, the easier they are to treat. There is a choice of over 4,150 male and female GPs, doctors and practice nurses nationwide – and it’s free.

Tonya Myles, Community Development and Policy Coordinator, Cairde said:

“Minority ethnic women are not being adequately supported to achieve their full potential in terms of their health. Many of them are unaware of the supports and initiatives that are there to assist them, such as CervicalCheck programme. We hope that European Cervical Cancer Prevention Week will promote the importance of cervical screening for women, including women from ethnic minority communities and help to raise awareness of how cervical cancer can be prevented.”

Cairde will support you in arranging your free smear test.

Maeve Cusack, Head of Screening Promotion at the National Cancer Screening Service said:

“CervicalCheck is delighted to support European Cervical Cancer Prevention Week. As cervical cancer is a preventable disease, we encourage all women aged 25 to 60 to take a few minutes out of their busy day to look after their health and have a free smear test. To celebrate European Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, CervicalCheck is hosting a number of information sessions. Any woman who would like to learn more about cervical screening and the benefits of a regular smear test is invited to attend. For details of all events see the ‘News & Events’ section of www.cervicalcheck.ie”.

How to arrange your free smear test

To arrange a smear test you can contact a registered smeartaker of your choice to make an appointment. Thousands of GPs, practice nurses, Women’s Health, Family Planning and Well Woman Clinics all over Ireland are registered. For details of all registered GPs, doctors and practice nurses you can call CervicalCheck on 1800 45 45 55 or visit www.cervicalcheck.ie.

CervicalCheck also sends invitation letters to women who are on the CervicalCheck register. You can check that you are on the register by calling Freephone 1800 45 45 55 or check on-line at www.cervicalcheck.ie.

If you have already had a CervicalCheck smear test, CervicalCheck will let you know by post when your next smear test is due – and if you change address, be sure to let CervicalCheck know your new contact details.

How often should you have a smear test?

It is recommended that women have a smear test every three to five years, depending on your age.

The results

Most smear test results are found to be perfectly normal and CervicalCheck will contact you about your results within four weeks of having your free smear test.

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European Cervical Cancer Prevention Week is organised by the Irish Family Planning Association (IFPA) with the support of CervicalCheck – The National Cervical Screening Programme.

Spotkanie informacyjne dla kobiet w ciazy i mlodych rodzicow z zakresu prawa pracy, sluzby zdrowia i pomocy socjalnej.

Agnieszka Matys ze Szkoly Sen w Dublinie mowi: „Biorac pod uwage duza liczbe rodzicow przychodzacych do naszej szkoly, wsrod ktorych jest wielu mlodych rodzicow i kobiet w ciazy, postanowilismy zorganizowac te spotkanie. Mamy nadzieje, ze przekazane informacje beda przydatne i pomocne w korzystaniu z tutejszych serwisow i liczymy na duze zainteresowanie.”

22 stycznia, 2011
Godz. 9.15
Szkola Sen
St. JOSEPH SCHOOL for Deaf Boys,
Navan Road,
Dublin 7

Zapisy w szkole lub Emilia: email hidden; JavaScript is required

Cairde is working in collaboration with CPLN area Partnership and Clondalkin Women’s Network to conduct a consultation process with children and families affected with the Sickle Cell condition.

This consultation process is to meet those affected with Sickle Cell to understand the impact of this condition to them and their families and to better understand how to improve their access to health care and other services.

If you know anyone who may require information concerning this consultation process, could you kindly direct him or her to speak in confidence to Emmanuel Njume Sone, Health Advocacy Officer on: 0871264578, Cairde, 19 Belvedere Place, Dublin 1,  Email: email hidden; JavaScript is required

On the 23^rd November, 2010 Cairde and International Organisation for Migration (IOM) organised an Information Session for Chinese Community. Topics included accessing GP and hospital services, employment rights and voluntary assisted return & reintegration.

On the November 3rd, 2010 Cairde delivered a presentation on grief and grieving in different cultures for Barnardo’s Bereavement Counselling for Children team.

This service works with families to help them support their child through the grieving process. It offers Counselling and therapy as well as operates a national Helpline which is often a first step in seeking support by families and professionals. Recently an increase in the ethnic minorities coming for help, usually via social workers or schools was noticed.

Cairde’s presentation focused on how different ethnic and national communities deal with bereavement.  Religious, national and regional customs and traditions from the Eastern and Central Europe, China and Africa were presented.

The Head of service in Barnard’s, Valerie Kelly commented on our presentation: “It was interesting and moving and so beneficial to our work. The feedback from therapists and bereavement helpline volunteers was very positive.”

More info: Iryna Pokhilo, email hidden; JavaScript is required

Balbriggan has one of the largest ethnic minority populations in Ireland per capita. From January 2010, a branch of Cairde’s Health Information and Advocacy Centre was set up in Balbriggan to provide individual advocacy and information to ethnic minorities.

The consultation process initiated by Cairde and supported by European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion funding, was a first step in development of local ethnic minority health forum which would positively impact on local community health. It is also a beginning of development of a collective mechanism for ethnic minority groups in Balbriggan to discuss issues which impact on the health of their communities and to devise strategies to respond to these needs.

Local ethnic minority community leaders were engaged in mobilising their own communities. 64 ethnic minority community members took part in consultation seminar on 22^nd of September 2010: Asylum seekers from Mosney Direct Provision Centre, members of Roma community, refugees and people with Leave to Remain as well as migrant workers.

The seminar focussed on experiences of poverty and social exclusion among ethnic minorities, living in Balbriggan and surrounding areas. Looking first at the health issues in the community most important changes to improve health and quality of life in Balbriggan were identified. They include:

• Access to fully operational Social Welfare Office and HSE Community Welfare locally in Balbriggan,
• Improve access to Primary care services in the community including GP services and medical cards.
• Address unemployment by creating new jobs in the area of Balbriggan and creating more accessible educational opportunities for migrants.
• Improve infrastructure in Balbriggan: sport facilities, childcare and family support services, improve security of the area, Create/ improve access to English language courses locally, Create more opportunities for integration, for meeting new people.
• Address a number of problems within Direct Provision system.

The consultation seminar findings will be distributed to: Local service providers and policy makers: Health Service Executive, Fingal Co. Council, etc.

Full report

Reoccurring issues related to health & wellbeing of pregnant women, single mothers and parents of Polish origins living in Ireland have been noted by those working in the area of information provision and advocacy.

They are related to knowledge about services and entitlements as well as law enforcement:

• Information is often spread by word of mouth.
• Command of the English language influence ability to access services.
• In more remote areas access to information and advocacy services is more difficult.
• Health & safety issues occur  in workplaces (miscarriages).
• High cost of childcare in Ireland causes some women to give up employment.
• Having children influence migrant women’s employment record and eligibility to  social protection.

Cairde in cooperation with Siptu and Forum Polonia network has initiated an outreach campaign to service those marginalised, vulnerable and with limited access to quality information. It includes information and consultation sessions to groups.

For more information contact Emilia email hidden; JavaScript is required