A festival in Wexford delves into the role of women in art, culture and society.
The three day Women's Festival at the Wexford Arts Centre explores women in art, literature, drama, dance, and their place in life at large.
In a sense, it's a little positive discrimination which they feel is needed to address an imbalance.
The exhibition includes tapestries and constructions by Teresa McKenna, paintings by Gwen O'Dowd, dance performances by Cathy Hayes, and literary readings by Mary O'Donnell.
An exhibition of photographs 'Women and the Politics of Peaceful Protest' from the Greenham Common Peace Camp forms one part of the festival. Jane Lakey believes the Greenham protest transcended politics highlighting that while the men leave home to fight a war, the women leave home to demonstrate for peace.
Greenham Protest
They're fighting war which is destructive through creative processes.
This is the second Women's Festival to take place in Wexford, which was set up to coincide with International Women's Day. Last year's festival was a huge success according to organisers attracting interest from around the country. This year, organisers hope to excite more local interest.
Patricia Robinson explains that women in the arts is just one aspect of the festival which has a broader scope including the Women's Forum which will feature Traveller activist Nan Joyce and the chairwoman of the Irish Countrywomen's Association. She is keen to point out that the festival does not exclude men, but rather highlights women.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 8 March 1984. The reporter is Michael Ryan.
