Gender Equality Officer
Cuige Uladh Ógra Shinn Féin
Over the next few months, I intend to interview a number of female activists who have played or continue to play an active and leading role in the republican struggle.
The aim of these interviews are to provide lessons, and inspiration to other young activists, especially young female comrades, and to promote the hugely important role that women played and are playing in the republican struggle.
No better person to interview for the first in these series of 'women in struggle' interviews than Sinn Féin's National Co-ordinator of Gender Equality Eibhlin Glenholmes, who has dedicated her life to the republican struggle, and the egalitarian and feminist ethos it espouses.
I hope you enjoy and learn from the first interview with Eibhlin, and continue to read the future ones, don't forget to leave a comment. Go raibh maith agat.
How did you get interested in politics?
It was more a question of politics being interested in us! As a young nationalist growing up in the republican ghetto of Short Strand, with some of the biggest employers on our doorstep – the docks, Harland and Wolff, the Sirocco etc ,yet the unemployment level in my area was around 90%.
The pogroms of the late seventies, the internment of my father and hundreds of other people, the relentless oppression of the national people, witnessing from an early age that “might meant right” to the British, and their support for the political apartheid governance by the Unionists, all meant that political interest stemmed from being aware of our place in the hierarchy of power – we were at the bottom of it, and being shot when I was sixteen did make me want to stop it happening and only after that did
I begin to question why it was happening ion the first place. So, to be honest, the desire to protect, and the anger at what was being done to our people preceded any analysis of the politics behind the oppression.
Has your interest in politics come from your family influence? And How?
I come from a republican family. My grandfather was a volunteer of Óglaigh na hEireann and was interned on the prison ship “The Agenta” in the 1920’s.
He was anti-treaty of course. My father were later interned twice in the 1970’s and also served time in English jails during the 1980’s. Of course that gave me the background to espousing their politics, but my own radicalisation I owe entirely to the British Governments oppression and torture of our people.
I come from a republican family. My grandfather was a volunteer of Óglaigh na hEireann and was interned on the prison ship “The Agenta” in the 1920’s.
He was anti-treaty of course. My father were later interned twice in the 1970’s and also served time in English jails during the 1980’s. Of course that gave me the background to espousing their politics, but my own radicalisation I owe entirely to the British Governments oppression and torture of our people.
Who has been your role model throughout your life?
I don’t have just one. Everyone who stands up and says “no more”, those who defend the weak and defy the bully. So, in a nutshell, as representative of people everywhere who resist, my role model has always been the Oglaigh na hEireann volunteer.
I don’t have just one. Everyone who stands up and says “no more”, those who defend the weak and defy the bully. So, in a nutshell, as representative of people everywhere who resist, my role model has always been the Oglaigh na hEireann volunteer.
Have you any major achievements within Sinn Fein or things that you will remember for a long time to come?
The advances or achievements in respect of Gender Equality are not mine, they are collective. They come from the increasing awareness within our party that we must internalise “Equality” from within.
Things I will remember for a long time would include the historic extraordinary Ard Fheis on policing. I was, and am, a member of the Ard Chomhairle which ask the party to support the motion, so I was in a prime position on the stage to see the room of delegates and families of our fallen comrades.
I remember thinking “there’s Mr C. The Brits murdered his son, there’s another woman who was left a widow at 18 with a child, there’s a young lad whose father was killed before he was born. There’s a sister who lost two brothers…... I looked at their faces and was awed by their strength and humbled by their unwavering support for what was a hard, but necessary, step for us.
Have you ever been discriminated against because you are a woman?
My life has been spent in the rarefied atmosphere of republicanism, where discrimination is the antithesis of what we represent, but we are a microcosm of the society we live in. Discrimination does exist. It is a mind-set. You do no not have to have been a victim yourself to know that. What happens to any woman- happens to us all.
That we have looked at this from every angle, from the imbalance in terms of membership, the imbalance at elected representative level, the imbalance at internal leadership level and the very fact that the leadership felt it necessary to create an entire department to address the issue should inform them. Negating the existence of gender inequality is akin to ignoring an elephant in your living room. You may not want it there- but its there.
We are committed to not just” addressing the issue” but effecting non reversible change. That means a battle for the change of mind set. If comrades refuse to acknowledge that we have to change, then we must spend more time engaging with them in reasoned debate.
Quick fire Round
Favourite Food: Any shell fish.
Favourite songs: The River (Springsteen) the Partisan (Cohen) Irish Ways and Irish Laws.
Favourite Book: A Hundred Years of Solitude- Garcia Marquez
Favourite Films: Apocalypse Now
Favourite past time: Cooking
Favourite Quote:
"We who hold his (Wolfe Tone) principles believe that any movement which would successfully grapple with the problem of national freedom must draw its inspiration not from the mouldering records of the past, but from the glowing hopes of the living present, the vast possibilities of the mighty future." - James Connolly
Favourite Holiday resort: Donegal
Person most influential in your life: Óglach Brian Keenan
Person you would like to meet (living) Fidel Castro.
Person you would like to meet (deceased) Hayde Tamara Bunke a.k.a. Tania the Guerrilla who died beside her comrade El Che.
If you were president of Ireland or Taoiseach what 3 things would you do to change Ireland?
Immediately implement policies based on Equality for All which would address health, housing and education.
The advances or achievements in respect of Gender Equality are not mine, they are collective. They come from the increasing awareness within our party that we must internalise “Equality” from within.
Things I will remember for a long time would include the historic extraordinary Ard Fheis on policing. I was, and am, a member of the Ard Chomhairle which ask the party to support the motion, so I was in a prime position on the stage to see the room of delegates and families of our fallen comrades.
I remember thinking “there’s Mr C. The Brits murdered his son, there’s another woman who was left a widow at 18 with a child, there’s a young lad whose father was killed before he was born. There’s a sister who lost two brothers…... I looked at their faces and was awed by their strength and humbled by their unwavering support for what was a hard, but necessary, step for us.
What has been your greatest challenge yet?
What I will never forget is the closest thing to a panic attack I ever had in my life was being appointed as National Co-ordinator for Gender Equality in Sinn Féin. I remember thinking that armed struggle against the British was a simpler task- but that was in retrospect!
What I will never forget is the closest thing to a panic attack I ever had in my life was being appointed as National Co-ordinator for Gender Equality in Sinn Féin. I remember thinking that armed struggle against the British was a simpler task- but that was in retrospect!
Have you ever been discriminated against because you are a woman?
My life has been spent in the rarefied atmosphere of republicanism, where discrimination is the antithesis of what we represent, but we are a microcosm of the society we live in. Discrimination does exist. It is a mind-set. You do no not have to have been a victim yourself to know that. What happens to any woman- happens to us all.
What is the most difficult part of being gender equality officer?
Understanding and explaining that only through debate and reasoning will we advance, that there is no “quick fix” to the issue. The big stick approach would not be my way forward. We all know that change is necessary, and it is also slow to come. But come it will.
Understanding and explaining that only through debate and reasoning will we advance, that there is no “quick fix” to the issue. The big stick approach would not be my way forward. We all know that change is necessary, and it is also slow to come. But come it will.
What is your favourite part of your role?
I absolutely love my job which is a big bonus, and I am passionate about it. Every time I see a young woman addressing a predominately male gathering articulating the republican position, such as at the Ard Fheis, or the Ógra National Congress, or a young man speaking in support of Gender Equality, I see the future and I smile.
What would you say to people who believe gender inequality doesn't exist within the movement?
I absolutely love my job which is a big bonus, and I am passionate about it. Every time I see a young woman addressing a predominately male gathering articulating the republican position, such as at the Ard Fheis, or the Ógra National Congress, or a young man speaking in support of Gender Equality, I see the future and I smile.
What would you say to people who believe gender inequality doesn't exist within the movement?
That we have looked at this from every angle, from the imbalance in terms of membership, the imbalance at elected representative level, the imbalance at internal leadership level and the very fact that the leadership felt it necessary to create an entire department to address the issue should inform them. Negating the existence of gender inequality is akin to ignoring an elephant in your living room. You may not want it there- but its there.
We are committed to not just” addressing the issue” but effecting non reversible change. That means a battle for the change of mind set. If comrades refuse to acknowledge that we have to change, then we must spend more time engaging with them in reasoned debate.
What advice would you give to young female activists?
I would suggest that they build on the support of your male and female comrades. I have said before, Gender Equality is a political issue - not a “women’s’ issue”. It will be resolved by people who will take a revolutionary stance, irrespective of their gender.
What challenges do you think young political activists now face and how can we overcome those challenges?
The task that faced people of my generation was in fact quite simplistic, very black and white, “us against them”. The challenges facing young activists are much more complex. It is you who have inherited the legacy of bringing a successful and final conclusion to this struggle for national freedom- and the more far reaching task of creating the socialist republic.
You have to demonstrate to those who oppose our vision that the only viable future for our country is our one. .Policy development and implementation, in accordance with our objectives, must be continuous. At the end of the day, total belief in ourselves and dedication to the realisation of our vision, will both stretch and reward you.
How do you think you make politics relevant to young people and what do you think are the major pressing issues for young people?
Youth must have a voice, and people must pay attention to that voice. Young people can become marginalised by the political process if they believe that their opinions are not valued, there fore, a forum which engages with youth must be prepared to listen. And youth must also be prepared to learn.
The major issues facing youth face us all as a society and as republicans. Exploitation, sectarianism, racism, in effect, the problems which the Ógra identified in its A.R.I.S.E. Campaign. Ógra's mobilisation around suicide prevention and the Shell to Sea campaign greatly impressed me.
Why do you think more young people need to get involved in politics?
Because most, if not all social change in the world has been due to of the dynamic provided by young ardent revolutionaries. The future belongs to the young- it is right that they have a role in the shaping of that future.
I would suggest that they build on the support of your male and female comrades. I have said before, Gender Equality is a political issue - not a “women’s’ issue”. It will be resolved by people who will take a revolutionary stance, irrespective of their gender.
What challenges do you think young political activists now face and how can we overcome those challenges?
The task that faced people of my generation was in fact quite simplistic, very black and white, “us against them”. The challenges facing young activists are much more complex. It is you who have inherited the legacy of bringing a successful and final conclusion to this struggle for national freedom- and the more far reaching task of creating the socialist republic.
You have to demonstrate to those who oppose our vision that the only viable future for our country is our one. .Policy development and implementation, in accordance with our objectives, must be continuous. At the end of the day, total belief in ourselves and dedication to the realisation of our vision, will both stretch and reward you.
How do you think you make politics relevant to young people and what do you think are the major pressing issues for young people?
Youth must have a voice, and people must pay attention to that voice. Young people can become marginalised by the political process if they believe that their opinions are not valued, there fore, a forum which engages with youth must be prepared to listen. And youth must also be prepared to learn.
The major issues facing youth face us all as a society and as republicans. Exploitation, sectarianism, racism, in effect, the problems which the Ógra identified in its A.R.I.S.E. Campaign. Ógra's mobilisation around suicide prevention and the Shell to Sea campaign greatly impressed me.
Why do you think more young people need to get involved in politics?
Because most, if not all social change in the world has been due to of the dynamic provided by young ardent revolutionaries. The future belongs to the young- it is right that they have a role in the shaping of that future.
Quick fire Round
Favourite Food: Any shell fish.
Favourite songs: The River (Springsteen) the Partisan (Cohen) Irish Ways and Irish Laws.
Favourite Book: A Hundred Years of Solitude- Garcia Marquez
Favourite Films: Apocalypse Now
Favourite past time: Cooking
Favourite Quote:
"We who hold his (Wolfe Tone) principles believe that any movement which would successfully grapple with the problem of national freedom must draw its inspiration not from the mouldering records of the past, but from the glowing hopes of the living present, the vast possibilities of the mighty future." - James Connolly
Favourite Holiday resort: Donegal
Person most influential in your life: Óglach Brian Keenan
Person you would like to meet (living) Fidel Castro.
Person you would like to meet (deceased) Hayde Tamara Bunke a.k.a. Tania the Guerrilla who died beside her comrade El Che.
If you were president of Ireland or Taoiseach what 3 things would you do to change Ireland?
Immediately implement policies based on Equality for All which would address health, housing and education.
5 comments:
Brilliant interview, Eibhlin has been a constant mentor and inspiration to Ógra. Thanks for this. It would be good to have an interview from someone like Mary Lou, who would have taken a different route into the struggle.
J
I never saw that video before, the free staters showed their true colours again.
Excellant article and important and thought provoking words as always from Eibhlin. Niall
As a young women, i would like to thank you for this.
Melissa G
excellent interview, Eibhlin has been, and always will be a huge inspiration!
Eibhlín is one of my heros
Ella
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