International Women’s Day 2009

International Women’s Day was celebrated in Wynn’s Hotel in Dublin last Friday as upwards of 60 women came together to hear a range of speakers give telling and anecdotal accounts of the key role of women in society, both nationally and internationally.

Organised by Sinn Féin, the event was hosted by Dublin MEP Mary Lou McDonald, who spoke of the resilience of women in trying times, not least in periods of recession such as today.

“We’ve faced times of recession before where women have carried the burden but with great resilience and strength. Women have always been to the fore in fighting back against economic decline, whether through their presence on the picket line or their ability to juggle with domestic finances in order to feed a family,” she said.

Women are very much on the receiving end of the current downturn in the economy losing jobs in all sectors particularly the retail industry, she said. And a more disturbing factor is that domestic violence increases in times of economic recession. But as McDonald pointed out:

“While people have their heads down in the gloomy financial crisis affecting Ireland today, women tend to be the ones who remain positive, constantly looking for ways to change things and find the light at the end of the tunnel.”

In 1912, “Bread and Roses” became the slogan of thousands of textile workers, mostly women and girls who included native and immigrant workers, who won big concessions over wages, conditions and hours for the entire textile industry following a three-month strike in Lawrence, Massachusetts, USA. The women of the strike adopted the now famous slogan, “We want bread and we want roses too!”

Michelle Gildernew MP recounted her own experience as a breast-feeding mother and a very busy minister. She recalled her own mother and grandmother who, like her, were community activists. That background factors into her own strength as a woman because it can take strength to handle the challenges facing her on a daily basis. She brings her new baby to work with her, which can mean breast-feeding the baby during meetings. She guesses that some of the male political representatives at Stormont may deride her for that but says that if she encourages other women to breastfeed in the workplace that she will have achieved a lot for women.

Derry-born Nell McCafferty was the guest speaker, her pithy and amusing anecdotes having her audience laughing as she recalled the struggles past and struggles present of a famous Irish feminist and civil rights activist.

One side-effect of a recent heart attack was that she would lose her top teeth, which would have to be removed. Nell told her dentist, “You can take whatever you want but you can’t take my teeth,” the pensioner said, and she was forced to remortgage her house to save her teeth at a cost of over €20,000. Nell also reflected on the fact that her pension, like that of so many others, would be cut but she quipped there was always the consolation of a bus pass – “That’s if that too is not taken away!”

A number of guest organisations were also present on the day, including the African Women’s Network, the Parents’ Resource Centre from Bonnybrook, the Family Resource Centre in St Michael’s Estate, and women from O’Devaney Gardens.

The Irish Citizens’ Information Bureau and Age Action ran stalls at the event.

http://www.anphoblacht.com/news/detail/37801

Irish candidates for this summer’s European elections are backing a campaign to end female genital mutilation in Europe, launched to mark International Women’s Day.

Amnesty International’s campaign calls for the adoption of a definitive strategy to end the practice and to provide protection to women and girls who flee their countries for fear of being mutilated.

FGM is practised in 28 African countries and in some parts of Asia and the Middle East. The European Parliamentary Committee on Women’s Rights claims that around 500,000 women in Europe have been subjected to it. ‘‘Over 2,500 women living in Ireland have survived genital mutilation,” said Amnesty Ireland programmes director Noeleen Hartigan.

The campaign is being endorsed by all of the outgoing Dublin MEPs – Eoin Ryan (Fianna Fáil), Gay Mitchell (Fine Gael), Proinsias De Rossa (Labour) and Mary Lou McDonald (Sinn Féin) and by Green Party European election candidate Senator Deirdre de Burca.

Médecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said International Women’s Day offered an opportunity to remember the women who experienced sexual violence.

The aid organisation released a report showing it provided healthcare to almost 13,000 victims of sexual violence in countries such as DR Congo, Burundi, Colombia, South Africa and Sudan. Its report, entitled Shattered Lives, emphasised the effectiveness of assault victims receiving emergency medical treatment within the first 72 hours after a sexual assault.

MSF said the emergency care needed for victims of rape was either very rare or absent in the countries where it operated.

http://www.sbpost.ie/post/pages/p/story.aspx-qqqt=IRELAND-qqqm=news-qqqid=40131-qqqx=1.asp

Revolutionary Irish Women Doctors 1916 to the Civil War
A talk by Anne McLellan.
Cabra Library: Thursday 5th March at 6.30

This talk will focus on the lives and work of three revolutionary doctors: Kathleen Lynn and Brigid Lyons-Thornton, who took part in the Easter 1916 Rising, and Dorothy Price who was doctor to a column of the IRA during the War of Independence.

Anne McLellan has a background as a medical scientist and a journalist and has contributed a chapter on revolutionary doctors to the book Lab Coats and Lace. She is currently researching the contribution of Dorothy Price to the eradication of tuberculosis in Ireland, for her PhD.

Veronica Dunne: My Life in Music
Terenure Library: Monday 9th March at 7.00pm

For many years, Veronica Dunne was a leading star of the international world of opera. She is now a legendary figure as a teacher and developer of young talent.

During her illustrious career, she performed leading operatic roles in Milan, Sadlers Wells London, the Welsh National Opera and throughout Ireland.

But long after her active singing career, the world of music continues to be enriched by her direct and ongoing contribution to singing as a renowned and gifted singing teacher. The Veronica Dunne International Singing Competition was established in 1992. Veronica will speak about the highlights of her life in music.

Celebrating Women- Ailbhe Smyth : Feminist Activist & Academic
Coolock Library: Wednesday 4th March at 11.00am

Ailbhe has been active in the women’s movement in Ireland since the late 1970s and is co-convenor of the recently formed group, Feminist Open Forum. She set up the Women’s Education Research and Resource Centre (WERRC) at UCD in 1990 and has served on numerous State Boards including the Higher Education Authority and as a Trustee of the National Library. She has worked extensively with community-based and national voluntary sector organisations on women’s and equality issues, and is also Chair of the National Lesbian and Gay Federation.

Ailbhe will speak to local women’s groups in Coolock Library and to Transition Year Students in Rathmines Library.

International Women’s Day – Still Relevant?
Ailbhe Smyth will speak to invited Transition Year students in Rathmines Library
Rathmines Library: Wednesday 11th March at 12.00noon

Great Women Of Dublin – Historical Walking Tour with leading historian, Pat Liddy.
Sunday 8th March at 11.30a.m.

Hear about the great women who left their mark on Dublin and history. Part of Dublin City Council’s community initiative, ‘Let’s Walk & Talk’

Meeting Point: Fusiliers Arch, entrance to St Stephens Green, top of Grafton St, near Luas.
Walk lasts approximately 2 hours.
Free.
All welcome!
Booking essential with: Ronan O’Donnell on (01) 2223726 (9-5pm), or via email at ronan.odonnell@dublincity.ie

Be Inspired: International Women’s Day Reading with Eileen Casey, Celia de Fréine, Anne Hartigan and Ann Leahy
Event takes place, free of charge, at 12pm on the 8th March in Dublin City Hall on Dame Street

Originally from Co. Offaly, EILEEN CASEY has been based in Tallaght since the late 1970s. A poet and writer, she also facilitates creative writing classes in adult education for County Dublin VEC. Her debut collection Drinking the Colour Blue (New Island) was published in 2008.Ar na cnuasaigh atá scríofa ag CELIA DE FRÉINE tá Faoi Chabáistí is Ríonacha (Cló Iar-Chonnachta 2001), Fiacha Fola (CIC 2004) agus Scarecrows at Newtownards (Scotus Press, 2005). Seolfar dornán drámaí léi Mná Dána (Arlen House) 25 Márta.CELIA DE FRÉINE’s poetry collections are Faoi Chabáistí is Ríonacha (Cló Iar-Chonnachta, 2001), Fiacha Fola (CIC, 2004) and Scarecrows at Newtownards (Scotus Press, 2005). Her plays, Mná Dána (Arlen House) will be launched on 25 March.ANNE HARTIGAN is a prize-winning poet, playwright and painter. She has published 6 poetry collections, including To Keep The Light Burning (2008), Nourishment (2005), Immortal Sins (1993) and Now is a Moveable Feast (1991) all published by Salmon.ANN LEAHY is a Patrick Kavanagh award-winner whose debut collection, The Woman who Lived her Life Backwards, was published by Arlen House in 2008. She practised for a number of years as a solicitor and now works in the management of a national not-for-profit organisation.

(info forwarded by equality@usi.ie)

Celebrate International Women’s Day 2009 with a special charity screening of Reese Witherspoon in ‘Legally Blonde’ in aid of the Women’s Aid National Freephone Helpline 1800 341 900

In association with AVON

Join us for a girl’s night of indulgence and fun on Monday 9th March at the Light House Cinema, Smithfield, Dublin 7 from 7 p.m.

Ticket price: €30 per person. Seats are limited so book now!

To book your tickets please contact Stefania Demurtas on 01 8684721 or email stefania.demurtas@womensaid.ie

(info forwarded by equality@usi.ie)

Amnesty International’s Sponsored Walk

With Amnesty International speakers:
Noeleen Hartigan, Tendai Madondo & Neltah Chadamoyo

Sunday 8 March, 1.00 pm
From Central Bank, Dame Street to the Phoenix Park

To apply for a sponsorship card, please contact youth@amnesty.ie
For more information go to http://ent.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=263011554&u=2808159

For International Women’s Day we are celebrating the extraordinary bravery and determination of Zimbabwean women defending their rights.

Many human rights defenders and political activists in Zimbabwe have been repeatedly arrested, unlawfully detained, harassed, tortured or even killed for simply exercising their rights to peaceful protest, freedom of assembly and association.

In this context, many courageous women have decided to stand up and defend their inalienable human rights and the rights of their communities and families. These brave women have denounced these injustices, demanded respect for their rights and in the process have often brought about positive social change and progress on human rights for all.

To support Amnesty International and human rights defenders in Zimbabwe you can:
1. Take part in the sponsored walk
2. Come along to the Central Bank at 1.00pm on 8 March and mark International Women’s Day

(info forwarded by equality@usi.ie)

Banúlacht and the National Women’s Council of Ireland
International Women’s Day Conference

Thursday, 5 March 2009, 9:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Croke Park Conference Centre, Dublin

On International Women’s Day, women throughout the world come together to celebrate the progress and achievements made by women in their fight against injustice and inequality. This year, 2009, is particularly significant for it is 30 years since the international community adopted the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and recognised women’s rights as a global priority. Women’s organisations all over the world have worked for the implementation of CEDAW since 1979. It is now critical to ensure that the achievements of the women’s movement and of feminist activism over the last 30 years are not undermined. This conference will focus on women’s activism and feminist leadership in changing times, and aims to both inspire and challenge participants.

Who is this conference for?
We welcome all women interested in women’s issues, equality, feminism, feminist activism and development from a local and a global perspective. In addition, we welcome women from community development and community education organisations (whether coordinating an organisation or participating in a personal development course); women involved in nongovernmental organisations, national organisations. In order to facilitate participation, there will be both discussion-based workshops and creative workshops—something for everyone! The keynote speakers are feminist activists with experience of working at community level as well as local, national or international levels.

More information & booking form available at
http://www.banulacht.ie/conferences/conferences_International_Womens_Day_Conference_Mar_09.htm

(info forwarded by equality@usi.ie)

WITS
in association with the Dublin City Book Festival
http://www.dublinbookfestival.com/sunday.html

invites you to celebrate International Women’s Day, 2009 at the launch of:
“Lab Coats and Lace” edited by Mary Mulvihill

The Lives and Legacies of Inspiring Irish Women Scientists and Pioneers,
a companion volume to Stars, Shells and Bluebells (1997).
Speakers: TBD
City Hall,
Sunday, March 8,
1.15-2:30 p.m.

Adm free, all welcome.

Further details will be posted to our website http://www.witsireland.com

(info forwarded by equality@usi.ie)

with
SPELLBOUND: A Wonderful Evening of Poetry and Prose
To Celebrate Women’s Writing

Wednesday, March 4th
Central Hotel, Exchequer Street, Dublin
7.30pm-9.30pm

Feminist Open Forum offers an antidote to doom and gloom. Come join us for an uplifting evening of poetry and prose. Catherine Cullen, Mary Dorcey, Claire Kilroy, Barbara Smith, Medbh McGuckian, Eilis Ni Dhuibhne, Enda Wyley and others will give us something to celebrate this International Women’s Day 2009.

To reconnect with the joys of writing, of women, of life be in the Central Hotel at 7.30pm on March 4th for a night to remember.

(info forwarded by equality@usi.ie)
Inquiries to: feministforum@gmail.com / 086 0704036

Who? Join Choice Ireland, the RAG collective and the Lashback collective to celebrate International Women’s Day
When? 1pm Sunday March 8th 2009, International Women’s Day
Where? The Custom House, Custom House Quay, Dublin 1

Description:
On March 8th 2008 over 150 people took to the streets to take part in the first Feminist Walking Tour of Dublin to mark International Women’s Day. Following the enormous success of last year’s tour, we are once again stepping out to tell the often forgotten stories of the Dublin women who have shaped the world we live in.

“The tour will tell the stories of women throughout our history from Granuaile to the women of the Ladies Land League and Irish Women Workers’ Union to today’s women activists who work to reduce poverty and exclusion in our city,” comments Sinead Ahern

Commenting further Anne Lynott says “The walking tour is an educational and entertaining way to celebrate the courage and achievements of women past and present and an ideal way to mark International Women’s Day.”

The Feminist Walking Tour will follow a new route this year and will incorporate different aspects of women in Dublin’s history. The tour will finish with a social lunch where soup and sandwiches will be provided.

There will be a free booklet to accompany the tour with a map and information about each stop.

This event is free of charge and is open to all ages and genders. Please contact us if you have any accessibility or other needs.

For a report of last year’s tour see http://ie.indymedia.org/article/86643

For further information please contact:
feministwalkingtour@yahoo.ie
Sinead Ahern +353 (0)86 398 3189
Anne Lynott +353 (0)87 910 9147

(info forwarded by equality@usi.ie)