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ONCE A YEAR a single day marks International Women’s Day. It’s a day intended to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.
Across the world there are around 3.52 billion women, all striving for different things and coming up against different barriers.
We asked six women from different backgrounds and of different ages what they want for Irish women in 2017. Here’s what they had to say.
I have a long wish list for women in Ireland, but if I had to narrow it down to one thing, it would be that the work of caring be universally recognised and valued. Caring is an essential part of life and is work that women have been doing invisibly and silently for centuries. I wish that caring was put front and centre in our society, and not abandoned to the fringes as we (both men and women) are encouraged to participate fully in a paid working life. This would improve the quality of life for families, for children, for our older people, and for those with disabilities.
Barbara Scully is a journalist, broadcaster, mammy, wife and cat slave. She is presenter of The Hen House – a programme giving voice to women – on Dublin South FM. Follow her on twitter @barbarascully or @henhouseradio.
My wish for women is to be more self-aware. I wish women spent more time investing in themselves by becoming more self-aware. This forms the solid foundation of an authentic life that is independent and separate from cultural norms, traditions and dogmas. If we really know ourselves and what we want out of life, then we can set about building our individual lives to suit ourselves and not the environment we live in. Once you become self-aware, you learn to trust your instincts. Don’t let the pressure to conform rob you of your own experiences. You are your own expert, no one knows you better than yourself.
Dil Wickremasinghe is the presenter of Global Village on Newstalk 106-108fm and co-founder of Insight Matters mental health support services.
My wish is for girls and women to look at their bodies and know that they are beautiful. My wish is for women to have strong minds and brave hearts. I wish we would support each other and protect each other. I wish we would engage in civil disobedience in pursuit of rights for ourselves and for other women. We must demand what is right and challenge what is frightening. My wish is that we recognise our power and own the magic of being women.
Vicky Kavanagh is a freelance producer and writer. She’s also a mental health ambassador for ReachOut.com. @VickyWrites
I’ve many wishes for Irish women. I wish for full reproductive choices for Irish women. I hope that the remnants of the theocratic society, which created a culture that marginalised and institutionalised poor women and children, will be finally eradicated. I wish that Irish society would accept that a rape culture exists and works to eliminate that. I hope the gender pay gap and gendered obstacles to promotion are dealt with properly. As an historian, I wish that the voices and experiences of women in history, and the voices of female historians are given parity with male histories and male academics. I wish for an end to all male panels (“manels”) in academia, the media, politics and culture. Finally, I wish that all young women and men find, as I did, in feminism, an ideology by which to live a caring, egalitarian and inclusive life.
Dr Mary McAuliffe is an assistant professor in Gender Studies at UCD. @MaryMcAuliffe4
It is important that 2017 sees Ireland finally name a date to repeal the Eighth Amendment, so that we can legislate to provide women with access to high-quality healthcare that prioritises their wellbeing. In Budget 2018, we must tackle the gender inequality in our pension system which results in many women having insufficient PRSI contributions, due to taking time out of work to care for children and family members. The best way to do this is to introduce a Universal Pensions Model. 2017 must also be the year that Ireland provides the necessary resources and investment so that we can make Ireland a safe place for women. The government must ensure a combination of stronger legislation, increased effectiveness of state frontline services and significant investment of resources. To reduce violence against women, we need to understand the scale of the problem, and for that we need quality data.
Orla O’Connor is director of the National Women’s Council of Ireland. @NWCI
As a matter of urgency, I would like to see access to free, legal and safe abortion for all women. I would like to see more plays written by women. I’d like to see equal numbers of men and women on all state boards. I would like religion to be removed from education, so that girls do not grow up with the example of men taking a leading role in life, from such an early age. I would like women’s magazine covers to focus on the achievements of women rather than their appearance. I would like men to stand up for their sisters, wives, mothers and nieces, and demand equal rights for the benefit of all.
Liz Nugent is the writer of two award-winning and bestselling novels: Unravelling Oliver and Lying in Wait. www.liznugent.ie @lizzienugent
What do you think? What are the issues facing women today? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
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Everybody has a wish list in the real world, very few people get what they want if they do then they will want something else, this is the reality for both sexes.
Right. So presumably there’ll be a change first to legalize abortion for health reasons or in cases of rape or incest. Eventually it will be on request. This will take some years, but it’s probably fair to say that it’s ultimately as inevitable as Irish unity.
@joe o hare:
Equal rights for big fat lesbians!
Ah Irving, you’re not that fat.
@Daisy Daisy:
Lols
So the gist of the complaints they have centres around the long debunked equal pay issue which no economist backs, abortion, state boards. magazines, role models, and making Ireland a “safer place for women” by introducing, I assume, gynocentric new laws on DV – a relationship issue which affects both genders – not a gender studies issue. Of course Mary McAuliffe, assuming this is what she’s referring to – the Istanbul Convention – already knows this.
Comical that Orla O’ Connor of the NWCI wants to see an end to all-male state boards when the NWCI receives public money and has no males on their all-women board. What a damn hypocrite, but hypocrisy and feminism in Ireland often go hand in hand. Do as i say, not as I do eh? For years in this country the NWCI has been doing more harm than good.
Vicky Kavanagh is assistant producer on Agenda on TV3 and a mental health ambassador for ReachOut.com…and she wants ” I wish for an end to all male panels (“manels”) in academia, the media, politics and culture.” Well I’ve news for you then Vicky – you’re a sexist. There’s no other way to look at it I’m afraid. Why shouldn’t there be all male panels or all female panels?
If these are the trenches feminism in 2017 chooses to die in then so be it.
If you’re going to criticise, at least get your attributions right. I didn’t say what you said I did. You might want to re-read the article
She has a point. You’re quoting from Dr McAuliffe piece
@Vicky Kavanagh: ‘ I wish for an end to all male panels (“manels”) in academia, the media, politics and culture. Finally, I wish that all young women and men find, as I did, in feminism, an ideology by which to live a caring, egalitarian and inclusive life.’ Yup pretty sexist Vicky, it seems you might want to reread your own words seemingly. Btw, what evidence do you have for a rape culture and the gender pay gap being nothing more than personal choice of individuals? Why would peoples personal free choices needed to be curbed out or legislated for? All in all, some pretty disgusting unsubstantiated claims you are perpetuating as truths here, I would argue, you are either sexist or an ideolouge.
@Vicky Kavanagh: Sorry they are the words of Dr. McAuliffe. You merely believe women are magical creatures.
I do indeed!
We manage to thrive and survive with people like you in the world. Which is pretty magical.
Hope that hate does something for you. I’ll be over here, doing my thing and describing it however I like ⚡️
Happy IWD Vicky. Feck the begrudgers
Thankfully logic and common sense is not needed for you to function in this world. I do not hate you, I disagree with you, but somehow you think that is hate. Nope women aren’t magical, but this world that allows people to function in society who cannot understand basic concepts or terms, that’s magical. Good look with your endeavours, and I truly hope no one ever disagrees with you to your face, lord fibid you take it as a hate crime against you.
The horrifying thought is that UCD has employed a person to tell young college students myths like a ‘rape culture’ and ‘wage gap’. Who is paying for this thoroughly debunked nonsense to be spewed at students and why?
Listen here you sexist person you. The coarse she runs will guarantee a well paying jo……. em hmmm get women ready for the real worl….. No that’s not right either. Ah UCD is ensuring the downfall of these women by creating special little snowflakes who will believe anything that is said in their little hug box echo chamber.
The pay gap exists but has nothing to do with discrimination. Even the Journal’s fact check came to this conclusions. The “rape culture” myth is far more insidious and offensive. The only evidence I’ve seen is our woeful justice system, but that doesn’t give out adequate sentences for most crimes, and a few anecdotal accounts of people who know a rapist standing by them. But to say we have a culture of rape is an extraordinary claim that would require extraordinary evidence. When the vast majority of people find rape repulsive I think there’s little hope of proving it.
For there to be a rape culture it would mean that rape would have to be a engrained in out culture. For instance if a person from a rape culture went to another country and raped somebody they would just have to say ” sure he’s alright he’s from Ireland rape is part of there culture”. If it was the case of culture rape would be legal.
I think the only problem with the idea of a rape culture is the term. I think what people term “rape culture” is a blame culture for the victim/s. As in it’s perfectly acceptable for a defence BL to ask what a rape victim was wearing, how much they were drinking, did they flirt with the accused etc. All so that they can paint a picture of the victim of having asked for it. That’s rape culture to me.
Rape is not normalized in Irish culture. It is considered a vile and despicable act throughout Irish society. Rapists are feared and hated, and ostracised from their families and communities. The mere suggestion that someone may be a rapist is enough to destroy their life. In what world does this attitude represent the normalisation and casual acceptance of rape in Irish society?
@Lisa Saputo: Then we have a blame culture, not a rape culture.
Culture: the ideas, customs, and social behaviour of a particular people or society.
Rape: Unlawful sexual intercourse or any other sexual penetration of the vagina, anus, or mouth of another person, with or without force, by a sex organ, other body part, or foreign object, without the consent of the victim.
You can understand why people get upset when people label them as proponents of such a thing.
You’re wrong Lisa. Rape culture is a sociological concept used to describe a setting in which rape is pervasive and normalized due to societal attitudes about gender and sexuality. The term actually asserts that rape is normal and pervasive in Ireland. Which it obviously isn’t, it’s complete rubbish.
You can’t compare the defence in a courtroom to wider society. The defence have a job to give people suspected of a crime a fair trial. It’s a thankless job but is vital for civilization to function. Some have to defend the worst of the worst. If a suspect claims the sex was consensual all that you describe would need to be established to give weight to that claim. Ultimately it’s irrelevant as they don’t themselves establish consent. But they’re facts of the case that need to be heard. There are real rape cultures in the world, where women and young girls are forced into marriages they don’t want, where victims of rape are punished if they come forward as they are deemed to have provoked the attack. Words have meaning and should be used carefully. Fervour over a non-existing “rape culture” does not help anyone as it switches people off.
I idea that “Dr.” McAuliffe actually gets paid to teach people is very worrying when she spouts such unsubstantiated and falsifiable nonsense as fact. Post-truth world I suppose.
@Awkward Seal:
Gavin McInnes was right,
Women are taught to act like 13 yr olds
“I want I want”
“Gimme Gimme Gimme”
“I deserve this because”
According to a recent poll most Irish people don’t want abortion on demand. Screw your liberal agenda journal
If you don’t want abortion, then don’t have an abortion.
@Mick Tobin: And if you want one have unprotected sex and get on a plane an go to the UK because the majority here won’t allow it.
Let the people decide then hopefully Snuffleupagus, a democratic vote is the only fair way I guess.
Mick what a foolish lame argument.
if you don’t want a slave don’t own one but each to their own .
If you don’t want to kill then don’t murder but each to their own
If you don’t want to sexually abuse then don’t do it but each to their own
If you don’t want to litter the streets then don’t do it but each to their own.
Is that your motto to just not do something you don’t like but each to their own? You need laws in society to protect innocents and keep decency.
@Greg Kelly: I don’t agree with any of the above, but it all hinges on the 8th, doesn’t it. A pregnancy is a prequel to human life, but so are certain other things such as sexual intercourse and ejaculations.
The question is whether you wish to endow a foetus with personhood and grant human right. If not, then a pregnancy falls within the realm of a woman’s body and personal health, and then it’s simply a case of whatever decision a woman chooses to make as far as this is concerned.
Just for the sake of it, I’ll give you another one for your list though: If you don’t want gay marriage, then don’t get gay married. In other words, it comes down to personal freedom while not hurting others. And then I have to accept that a foetus is, within certain duration limits, not an ‘other’.
Note that the reasoning I have to make is reversed: I do not start with the premise of non-personhood and then derive freedom of choice. I start with freedom of choice as a basic principle.
What if you don’t want to be aborted?
Mick why bring gay marriage into this ? How does it effect anybody? What harm does it do? Most people who I know were pro marriage equality at last referendum are also Pro equality again when it comes to to pro life and abortion of humans whether they be babies/foetuses. Just look at Tuam if we let abortion happen legally.
Why would I add gay marriage to a list about slavery, abortion, abuse or murder ?
@Greg Kelly: Because it more accurately reflects what I’m trying to say when I say “If you don’t want abortion, then don’t have an abortion”, than the items in the list you suppose to be analogous with that statement.
@Neal, not Neil.: Fair point. I could say that a foetus does not have the cognitive ability to not want to be aborted, but a fresh born baby similarly does not have the cognitive ability to not want to be murdered. So such argumentation will always fail, which is why for me it is a case of women’s personal freedom with regards to their bodies. I cannot see why the law should interfere in that, but enlighten me as to why it should.
@Mick Tobin: “If you don’t want abortion, then don’t have an abortion.” – what about:
“If you don’t want gun, then don’t have a gun.”
“If you don’t want cocaine, then don’t have a cocaine.”
“If you don’t want two wives, then don’t have two wives.”
@Mick Tobin: Hi Mick. ” a woman’s personal freedom with regard to their own bodies”
This is the fundamental idea behind pro abortion. It assumes that we are the absolute and ultimate owner of our own bodies and lives.There was never such a right in this or any other society. The State has the ultimate ownership of everything within its jurisdiction. The king was the owner of the subject and the State the ultimate owner of the citizen. When a woman is pregnant she is a trustee for a new life in the form of a future adult which will contribute to the greater or common good and perpetuate the State. So no, we dont and never will be absolute owners of our bodies.
In case anyone’s curious, International Men’s Day is on the 19th of November. Just found out an hour ago.
Or as feminists call it, “International Toilet Day”.
Fascinating, never heard of it… and its on my birthday. Interestingly though, what it says on Wikipedia about it… The objectives of celebrating an International Men’s Day include focusing on men’s and boys’ health, improving gender relations, promoting gender equality, and highlighting male role models. It is an occasion to highlight discrimination against men and boys and to celebrate their achievements and contributions, in particular for their contributions to community, family, marriage, and child care. The broader and ultimate aim of the event is to promote basic humanitarian values. I get the impression thats not how most whingers on here would celebrate it. Nor is it in the spirit of your comments intent, Cillian.
Blow jobs all around.
@GameOverMan: You’re right. My comment’s intent was to highlight that there is an International Men’s Day, due to the fact that it is almost completely unknown. Nothing more, nothing less. Not sure why you’re trying to read more into it than is necessary.
@Cillian O’Gara: This is news to me too, who is behind it, who started it and why? And why is it not celebrated? Not that we should of course, these days for this and that are a load of inflammatory nonsense.
@Dj: Not till 14 March!!!
If you think I am going to pay for your abortions on demand, think again.
Need a campaign to free Ms. Scully from the cat slavery. I’ve never come across a male cat slave. This is a major inequality!!!
We need to set up quotas to force men to take up their fair share of cats!
….of course we could feed all the cats to awkward seals then the problem might go away!!!!
Yes why not ask 6 people from the most privileged group in human history, what else they would like done for them.
I have to say, the reaction to this article is entirely predictable and is a complete cringe fest.
I asked for an international men’s day but my wife said I wasn’t allowed.
@Matt Donovan: 19th November.
Not allowed out that day Havid Dickey.
I love women. We all came from one. I urge all to rise up stand up and be counted especially today. The systematic sexism in a country such as ours sickens my soul. If you are a man a real one wear black today March Support Love be men. Go on sisters Im behind you beside you and with you
Thank you Danny.
@Danny Dowling: How about a day dedicated to highlight the wrongs placed on all people, and not just one sex, you know, a day of equality? As there is no International Mens day after all.
@Scundered: There is. It is November 19th. http://www.internationalmensday.com/
@Lisa Dorothy: I saw that just now, funny it get absolutely no exposure, and nobody in the office here has heard of it… funny that.
Hi Scundered I have a name I’m proud to use it. I doubt the woman who gave birth to you gave you Scundered. Use your real name your real voice. I’m not saying this out of malice. Inform yourself I couldn’t care less about red thumbs. I care about women and their rights in the society we live in. Thanks for replying I hope you have a great day and say I love you to a female of the species of Homo Sapian. Start with your Mother. Peace unity and equality for all.
@Danny Dowling: Why do you only care about people who were born with a particular type of genitalia?
I support equality for ALL, so women are in that mix too, to be sure nobody gets discriminated against. As when you only support one sex then it usually rubs people up the wrong way, as it suggests that you believe injustices don’t happen against the other side, which obviously they do.
Have a great day, whatever you wish to call it.
@Danny Dowling: All men are real men. That’s v sexist. That implied stereotype that ‘real’ men have principles and stand up for them and damn the consequences. I’m a real man, feminist, fellow human. I’m in work and I just don’t feel it’s on for me to wear black today. Are all the women not wearing black not real women either?
Scundered? Why don’t you arrange an event to get it more exposure? Why don’t more men do the same?
I wonder will the Journal run a similar article on Nov 19th about men’s aspirations for society? Doubt it..
How do a tiny and usually hideous group of feminazis get to represent women as a whole?
Usually hideous? Having a bad day? How about intelligent, articulate women speaking about modern Irish society and their personal goals for that society. Angry little wa**er
Sure burn all your bras if it makes ye feel better.
They would then complain about a lack of support
I have a problem with the idea every women is beautiful or their body is. Not saying women’s bodies are ugly just that being female doesn’t mean you are in good physical condition. By definition beauty is not everybody it is just a portion.
@Kal Ipers: That’d be your definition of beauty. Which seems pretty narrow. My dog is nearly dead, poohs himself etc. but he’s still beautiful. He’s in terrible physical condition though.
Mark> Beauty already has a definition and doesn’t need you to make one up. It isn’t my definition it is the definition. You can love your dog all you like and say it has a beautifully nature but to use beauty on its own means appearance nothing more nothing less. I know what the person meant but it is still nonsense talk.
Beauty may have a definition but it doesn’t make it objective as you appear to be suggesting.
How about calling it Equality Day, as when you define it by a sex, then it’s sexism day.
I suppose I shouldn’t find it surprising that the majority of the comments are from misogynist trolls. Apparently there is no room in Ireland for a genuine discussion about the very real gender inequalities that still exist. Yet again we have white men telling us they know better, that there really aren’t gender inequalities and women really aren’t subjected to gbv in vastly disproportionate numbers to men. Privilage speaking his truth once again. Happy International Women’s Day to you too.
@Kieran Clifford: But you didn’t even attempt to start a genuine discussion, you just came on here shouting about misogynist trolls and white men. (which is a bit racist since you don’t know the colour of the people you’re talking to).
If you really do want to have a genuine discussion, that try doing just that.
Indeed. So let’s discuss the suicide inequality, the workplace death inequality, the homelessness inequality, the legal status inequality. Or we could continue banging on about a debunked gender pay gap and ignore mens live and livelihoods.
It seems to be womens day everyday
If Irish Women seriously want to challenge misogyny, they might wish to consider the role of the Roman Catholic Church as a key influencer of misogyny.
Oh I had never thought of that. Thank you.
Tony or any premier league club. No women on the Man Utd team. You should start one of your campaigns against them also.
No men on loose women tv show panel so where is the equality?
@Greg Kelly: I’ve noticed that not one single woman has ever come around to collect my bins and throw the rubbish in the truck. When will we ever get equality?
Great picture. If I was a woman I’d feel so empowered by that library photo of two sassy, intellectuals. Are they addressing a dungaree convention?
You’re not familiar with the reference then it seems.
Half of all Irish voters since independence were women and they supported the mindsets, governments and church that caused the Magdalene Laundries, selling babies and Tuam. So it might actually be better take their vote away.
And the men too? Did they support it too? Troll.
What rights exactly do I have over you in Ireland? Enlighten me
Mostly sensible laudble wishes. Some silliness but I shall ignore it. What’s rape culture? Anyone have a link to a good definition/explanation. I should do my own research but help me out please. The first one, though about valuing carers and not trying to shape a society where going out to a paid job is the only way to be a valued member. That bugs the life outa me. Looking after people is the most important job there is. But also among the least well paid and least prestigious work you can do here.
Help……
International Women’s Day commenarates the movement for women’s rights. Disappointing to see a lack of support for your mothers, sisters, wives and daughters.
Sure, top of the list might have been “reverse the obesity epidemic overtaking Irish women, damaging and shortening lives”. Visiting the cancer and cardiac services from the sharp end won’t be a happy experience.
have your say