Women’s debate opens up important discussion

Ógra Shinn Féin hosted a debate today in Queen’s University Student’s Union, Belfast. The discussion was led by former Ógra activist and current Moyle District Council Mayor, Cllr Cara McShane and West Belfast MLA, Jennifer McCann.

While both women opened the talk ‘from conflict to peace – a female perspective’ from a personal reflection, noting how they became politicised and active in the republican struggle, the debate that flowed soon focused on the current inequalities that exist for women today.

Jennifer noted in particular that women account for 52% of the population in the north, yet only 17% of the elected activists in the Assembly are women.

An interesting debate was also opened up on feminism, on defining it in the 21st century and making it relevant to people in their everyday lives.


Speaking on the debate, Ógra National Gender Equality Officer, Gemma McKenna said,

“The more we debate issues such as these, the more we realise both the progress that has been made, yet the massive strides that still need to be taken in gender equality. The talks from Cara and Jennifer were extremely thought provoking, and will provide much food for thought as we discuss and draw up future gender equality campaigns.”