Combatting violence against our women

A legally binding international instrument to combat violence against women and domestic violence, is one step closer after the European Parliament has voted to give its consent for the council to ratify the Istanbul Convention. e vote has been welcomed by Deirdre Clune Member of the European

Parliament for the Ireland South constituency who told e Kilkenny Observer: “ is is an important step in the EU’s ght against domestic violence and violence against women.

“We are nally turning words into actions and strongly a rming that gender equality is at the very heart of our core European values. “ is decision will step up the protection of all victims and the prevention and prosecution of these horrendous crimes in an integrated manner in all EU Member States,” she said. e Istanbul Convention entered into force on August 1, 2014, with Ireland signing the convention in 2015 and ratifying it formally in 2019. e Istanbul Convention is recognised as the most effective tool for combating gender-based violence, as it imposes concrete obligations.

“One in three women in the EU has experienced physical and/or sexual violence – around 62 million women.

“Yet, we have still some distance to travel. I now want to see the European Parliament adopt the directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence, which will enshrine minimum standards in EU law for criminalising certain forms of gender-based violence,” MEP Clune concluded.

Kilkenny Flower Club’s Plant Sale and Co ee Morning will take place this Saturday, May 20 in Dunmore Community Hall, R95 NX08, from 10am. to 12pm. Admission is €5 and entitles you to tea/co ee and cake. It is a lovely way to spend a morning, meet friends, chat and treat yourself to something nice for your garden. e charity chosen this year is ‘As I Am’, Ireland’s national charity for autism.

Majority of workers want four-day week

e majority of Irish workers want employers to introduce a four-day week, with many preferring a reduction in working hours to a hefty pay rise.

According to a survey from recruiter Robert Walters, 91pc of the 3,000 respondents, 1,000 of which were from Ireland, stated they would welcome the implementation of a fourday week. Almost half said this working model would grab their attention on a job description.

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Safer road move

A safer junction for residents exiting from Kilkenny’s Glendine Heights to the Ballyfoyle Road is in review. Having received several requests from local residents about safety concerns Cllr John Coonan has put forward a notice of motion for Kilkenny Municipal District to undertake an analysis of what measures can be put in place to ensure greater safety for road users.

The BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition returns to the RDS from January 10 to 13, 2024, and will celebrate 60 years of the Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition. The exhibition is the largest celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) for young people on the island of Ireland, an all-encompassing celebration of science and technology under one roof.

BT Ireland, the communications services company, and the education charity, Young Scientist & Technology of the Year Limited (YSE ltd), have also announced that they have extended their partnership for a further three years through to 2026. The threeyear sponsorship extension will see BT Ireland continue as custodian and organiser of the exhibition.

Applications for the 2024 BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition will open in late August 2024 and students from across the Ireland are encouraged to submit project proposals and be part of the country’s leading live STEM event.

Shay Walsh, Managing Director, BT Ireland, said, “We’re extremely proud of our history with the exhibition and we are thrilled to be extending our partnership with the Young Scientist and Technology of the

Year for another three years. The BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition has become part of our organisation’s DNA, with 200 of our colleagues volunteering