Break the mould, create your own path

Female Activist

As a young girl I was constantly told the world was my oyster an I was often asked “what are you going to be when you grow up”. Many people had the ambitions of being a “footballer” or a “singer” at that young age it seemed like nothing was off limits.

But even at this age we are introduced to difference and limitations because of our gender. Have you never wondered about the fact that a girl gets a pram and a doll from “Santa Clause” whilst a boy gets cars and trucks and guns?

Why are they not allowed to chose freely, instead most kids have to fit in with the “norm”. At the age of three or four we already recognise the difference in gender. As a young girl I often played “housie” cooking and cleaning and looking after my dolls. All of this already preparing me for how my adult life will “suppose to be.”

This pressure to fit into “social norms” continues throughout our lives. As although we our all in theory allowed to freely chose our own path this is often not completely true.

If a blonde typical “girly girl” told you she was going to be a mechanic or a “fire fighter” you would probably think “ that’s a bit strange” but if a boy said the same thing you wouldn’t think anything of it.

Young boys often get intimidated from peers if they aspire to be “nurses” and often seen as less masculine which is also shown in T.V programmes where they stereotype male nurses to be gay. Why can't a male be caring and still masculine?

Why are we forced to compromise our individuality in order to fit into our “gender”. People are often pressured from parents, peers and even at school to choose careers that suit the “norm” instead of deciding what is best for them.

Enough is enough

Politics is also usually dominated by males; for some reason this area of work has never been the place for women. Even though we represent 50% of the population we supposedly “never cared” or were never “capable” to get involved in politics.

However, this is not true, even within Sinn Féin there has been many prominent women throughout the party’s history. From Margaret Buckley the first ever female leader of a political party in Ireland to Máire Drumm to Mairéad Farrell just to name a few.

They did not stay at home or wait for some one else to change things but went out and did it themselves facing many challenges along the way.

Their legacy continues on as females within both Ogra Sinn Féin and Sinn Féin make their voices heard from all corners of this country, whether it is in Stormont, Leinster House, a council meeting or even their own cumann meetings.

Your place in life is where ever you chose it to be, have the courage to challenge the inequalities and restrictions that surround you.

Many people before you have sacrificed their lives so we can have the opportunities that are available to us today. But the journey is not yet over, there is a still a lot more to do.

Ladies your challenge is to “claim that space” that has been created by past generations, not only is it your role to have your own voice heard but also to make the way so that it will be easier for our future generations to voice their views.

If you don't their efforts will be lost and your options restricted!