Londonderry women have poorer life expectancy rate

The statistic was revealed at a discussion forum organised by the Women's Resource and Development Agency in conjunction with Foyle Women's Information Network entitled a 'Gender Agenda' to address 'One City - One Plan - One Voice' - the draft Regeneration Plan for Derry~Londonderry. The 'Gender Agenda' brought a local women's perspective to the draft regeneration proposals.

The research also showed that a high percentage of women in the city were considered 'hidden unemployed' with many falling through the net when it came to receiving Jobseekers Allowance and not showing up in unemployment figures.

The meeting primarily considered whether the Regeneration Plans for Londonderry had taken account of the needs of women across the city.

The Regeneration process began by identifying needs and inequalities experienced by a number of groups including women with dependents, married women, and older women. The mission of the plan was to specifically target as many of these inequalities and needs as possible, by developing proposals that would promote equality.

It was discovered that women in Londonderry were more likely to be reliant on means tested benefits, and experience greater barriers to economic independence and employment, resulting in more women working part-time, in less skilled work and poorer access to training.