Ógra Shinn Féin host International Women's Day event in Lurgan

ÓSF Gender Equality Officer Gemma McKenna on the panel with Leo Green and Mairead O'Dowd

This past weekend Ógra Shinn Féin hosted Upper Bann Sinn Féin’s International Women’s Day celebrations in the Ashburn Hotel in Lurgan. The event entitled “Celebrating Republican Women”, was an opportunity for republicans in North Armagh to pay tribute and celebrate the role of women in republicanism. The event on Sunday 8th March, marked the 98th anniversary of International Women’s Day.

Ógra activist and Chairperson in Lurgan Lee Casey opened the event with the poem “Invisible Women”, and was followed by the events’ guest speakers Sinn Féin Cllr. Mairéad O’Dowd and former hunger striker Leo Green. The event was later closed with the poem “For Strong Women”, read by Ógra’s Sinead McCausland.

The event also hosted the official launch and first showing of the new Ógra Shinn Féin film “Ní Saoirse go Saoirse na mBan”. (“No Freedom Until the Freedom of Women”).

Ógra spokesperson in Lurgan, Sinead McCausland commented,

“For too long the role of women in Irish history, politics and struggle has been under played. Today we celebrated and marked the role played by women in the North Armagh area, some visible and some not so visible. It was fitting that we paid this tribute on International Women’s Day, a day of international celebration of women.”

Ms McCausland continued,

“Today’s event was hugely enjoyable. Mairéad and Leo’s contributions were brilliant. Women have played, and still play, such a variety of roles in republicanism and I think that was captured in the contributions of both speakers.”

“Sinn Féin continues to strive for a society based on equality, and national independence. We will continue the struggle to ensure all the ‘children of the nation’ are cherished equally. Equality for women is a vital part of this battle. Ní saoirse go saoirse na mban!”