Castlebar Soroptimist International recently collaborated with the Mayo Rape Crisis Centre to mark the UN’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, from 25 November to 10 December, under their 2020 objective 'Standing up for Women'.
The Mayo Rape Crisis Centre noted that as people retreated inside their homes due to the lockdown, in line with measures introduced to curb the Covid-19 pandemic, reports showed an alarming increase in the already existing pandemic of violence against women.
To support its vital service, a virtual committee, consisting of Castlebar SI, the students of Mount St Michael and the Mayo Rape Crisis Centre, worked together to assemble much-needed provisions for the users of the centre, including toiletries, baby essentials, winter clothes, books and household essentials.
Acknowledging the importance of the services of the Mayo Rape Crisis Centre, Castlebar Soroptimist International President, Ann Caulfield, said: "This is a vital service in our community and in this time of restrictions, uncertainty and fear, we need to ensure that those in need of emergency services are not forgotten. We, as a community, going through an unprecedented event like this pandemic, need to make sure no woman or child is in a worse-off position than before."
She added that 'in the spirit of giving, Castlebar Soroptimist International also remembered their friends in the An Coilín centre and, taking Covid-19 restrictions into consideration, organised donations of Christmas gifts to be delivered to residents over the festive period'.
Castlebar Soroptimist International wishes to express its gratitude and appreciation to everyone who has contributed to both initiatives, especially the students of TY in Mount St Michael’s Secondary School, Claremorris and said 'the club continues with a focus on women, girls and climate change for 2021 and plans to organise many additional initiatives throughout the year'.
