International Women's Day

Last Saturday Sinn Féin celebrated International Women’s Day in the Balmoral Hotel in Belfast.

The event hosted by Sinn Féin MEP Bairbre de Brun, welcomed various groups to set up stalls in a Fresher’s-stlye fair in the main hall. Some of the organizations in attendance included, Sinn Féin, Ógra Shinn Féin, Tar Anall, The Equality Commission, and The Falls Rd Women’s Centre. There was also face painting, Indian head massages, aromatherapy and a light buffet.

There were also two public talks, entitled “Unmanageable Revolutionaries” and “Hannah Sheehy Skeffington”, delivered by feminist author Margaret Ward. She outlined just some of the key events in Irish history, and how the role of women has been very much underplayed or even air brushed out. The hugely interesting discussion was followed by an entertaining performance by local actress and former Republican POW, Rosena Brown. The unexpected sketch made a clever mockery of all the traditional misconceptions and stereotypes asscoiated with women. This was a fitting end to a fantastic event.

Ógra Shinn Féin Gender Equality Officer Gemma McKenna commented,

“Today’s event was hugely enjoyable and fitting way to mark International Women’s Day 2009. We had a wide variety of activities in the Fresher’s fair, from face painting to massages to information stalls on international solidarity. We also had several Sinn Féin stalls, including one organised by Ógra and another by Roinn an Chultúir.”

She continued,

“The talks delivered by Margaret Ward were excellent. I think they proved hugely educational, and everyone really enjoyed the day. The sketch to conclude the day’s event, delivered by Rosena Brown, was a brilliant way to end. Rosena used the medium of drama to highlight the misconceptions and stereotypes still associated with women by some people.”

"Sinn Fén continues to work for women's rights, and an Ireland based on equality and justice. I look foward to International Women's Day 2010."