Women of Ireland - Mná na h-Éireann

McMandate
Ógra Shinn Féin

Countess Markievicz, Mary McSwiney, Maire Drumm, Mairead Farrell, Sheena Campbell…the list could go on and on.

The point is, though, women have always played a major role in the Republican movement. Women have been soldiers, political activists, prisoners, hunger strikers, wives, sisters, daughters, and mothers; often all wrapped up into one. So I see International Women’s Day as no better day, to pay tribute to all female activists who have taken up the struggle for Irish freedom, and to comment on the future of our movement in relation to gender equality.


It is easy to forget, due to the nature of society in Ireland, the every day battles women must endure and have had to endure over the years. In 1916 Padraig Pearse declared the Irish Republic outside the GPO, to ‘Irishmen and Irishwomen’, He declared the allegiance of ‘every Irishman and Irishwoman’ to that Republic, and proclaimed that the Republic would cherish ‘all the children of the nation equally.’ Yet despite this the 26 County state became a patriarchal state in favour of the few, and the 6 County state continued to have the unionist and British system of oppression.

There was a time not that long ago, when women like Mairead Farrell thought it necessary to wage war. Not just for Human Rights and for National Rights, but also for their rights as women. In modern Ireland this struggle continues; the struggle for national self-determination, for independence and for equality. The war has ended but the stereotypes and the old fashioned thinking has not ended in all quarters. Women continue to come across ignorance, chauvinism and sexism in their every day lives. It may be in the workplace, in social circles, in the community or elsewhere. But wherever it is, as Republican activists it is our duty to challenge these attitudes.

Sinn Féin has made great progress in recent times, moving towards a more representative, gender balanced party. Whilst there is still more work to be done, I must point out and acknowledge the great work done by those party activists working on the issues of gender equality. I would definitely praise their determination and commitment. But I would point out we all have a responsibility towards gender equality and building our party. We must all actively seek out women, young people and members of new Irish communities and encourage them to help us build Sinn Féin and the type of Ireland we want.

In my view these are important stepping stones towards our ultimate goals. We must be the change we want to achieve.

As I write this I think of our many leading female activists; from our Assembly team, to our councillors, to our other female activists playing leading roles throughout Sinn Féin and Ógra. I also think of women I’ve never met; people I’ve only heard or read about. I think of the determination, commitment and sacrifice of women throughout our struggle; and it makes me proud to say I’m an Irish Republican.