Women won’t be equal as long as they continue to ‘live in fear’ - Minister Josepha Madigan

Violence against women - whether in their homes, in public spaces or in war - was - the recurrent theme at events marking International Women’s Day on Tuesday.

At a lunch hosted by the homelessness support organisation Muslim Sisters of Eire, minister of State Josepha Madigan, said women would not be equal as long as they continued to "live in fear".

The streets must be “safe for all”. She wanted to “pay tribute to all the women of Ukraine” and described footage of women and children fleeing the war as “harrowing”.

“The commitment we have made to Ukrainian refugees demonstrates the best of human spirit,” she said.

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Independent senator and Traveller activist, Eileen Flynn, said her thoughts were with the women of Ukraine and "also with Muslim women who are seeking refuge from Afghanistan, Palestine and Yemen.

“I want to let those women know today: I stand with you too. Though I know it looks like Irish society has forgotten about you, we haven’t…We are in your corner.

“While we are thinking about the women and children of Ukraine in our hearts but let’s not forget about the women and children of Yemen who are living with the struggle of war as well.”

Ms Flynn said while many spoke about the difficulties of being a woman in politics, “I will tell you it’s tougher for women at the edges of Irish society to even get in the door. It is important not to forget about the Muslim women, the Traveller women, the black women and the women who are disabled. There are none in our [DÁIL].

Step forward

“So I think we, as an Irish society, have a hell of a long way to go when we talk about inclusivity. Sometimes we need to take a step back to allow other women in our society from our communities take a step forward. I know we are making some progress but really too many women are being left behind.”

Empowering all women was “not just about us getting around the important tables..It’s about all of us working on the ground with women in refuges, homeless women, women from ethnic minorities”.

Several hundred people attending a rally in Dublin city centre, organised by the socialist feminist group Rosa, heard calls for "real action on gender-based violence" from Irish and international activists.

Ruth Coppinger of the Socialist Party and former TD, said the day was "overshadowed by the reign of terror being heaped on the women, children and men of Ukraine".

Saluting a pervious speaker, Carla Kelly from Mexico who had described the #NiUnaMenos campaign against femicide in her country, Ms Coppinger said "change comes from below not from the top.

“We have to demand full, radical change on gender based violence,” she said. This must include a tripling of funding to gender-based violence services and their incorporation into the HSE so they would no longer have to fund-raise, said Ms Coppinger.