International Women's Day
By Yamila Petruchansky
Sinn Féin celebrated International Women's Day, 8 March, at Stormount
with a discussion on what the Assembly can achieve for women in
today's society.
Chaired by Michelle Gildernew, Sinn Fein Assembly spokesperson on
women's issues, who after an introduction about the importance of a
gender perspective in all aspect of society, presented her guests,
Eilish McCabe (Relatives for Justice), Joanne Carraher (Cumann na
Meirleach), Eileen Calder (Rape Crisis Centre) and guest
international speaker, Cuban Xonia Zayas Aguero.
They stressed that political ``equality, justice and truth'' were
essential in creating a proper environment for women's development in
this society.
Joanne Carraher said she hoped that the Assembly would, ``work to
build equality and justice in all areas''.
She stressed that, ``the needs of POW's and their relatives must be
addressed by the Assembly, they need training and education to carry
on the reintegration''.
Eileen Calder spoke about the rape and sexual abuse that many women
have endured and how in the past authorities had refused to consider
their cases. However, she said, it was hoped that it would now be
possible to move on.
``A change in the legislation is needed,'' added Calder, ``to guarantee
that women's rights inside and outside of relationships are
enforceable. We believe that sexual abuse and rape must be
confronted. We have to change people's mind set.''
Xonia Zayas Aguero explained, that in Cuba there had been, ``a
revolution inside the Revolution'' to overcome women's disadvantages
and discrimination. Education, training, child care, as well as the
end of the domestic violence, were underlined as essential needs that
must be addressed.
She said: ``Equality in educational access, equality in salary,
equality in legislation, equality in the rights of women, the
Government must commit the necessary institutions and promote these
equalities.''
However, she considered as absolutely necessary for change, that, ``to
overcome the sexism and macho attitudes in society, the concern for
women's skills and expertise and their rights inside the society and
inside the family must be supported.''
She appealed for a change in the cultural attitudes towards women.
In fact, Sinn Fein is working on that. Currently, Sinn Féin has five
women Assembly members (out of 14 in total), 13 local Councillors and
women hold 9 of the most influential posts in the party and it is
committed to increasing this number by developing a long-term
strategy to achieve 50/50 representation of women and men at all
levels in the party.
At the conference Michelle Gildernew also launched Sinn Féin's new
policy document on women's rights in a modern society. The policy
document that will be discussed at the party's next Ard Fheis
includes recommendations on women and family law; women and poverty;
women and education; women and employment; violence against women;
women and health; women and reproduction; and a charter on sexual and
reproductive rights.
Michelle Gildernew expressed her disappointment that of the 107 other
Assembly members invited that the only male Assembly members present
were from Sinn Féin.
She said, ``I think it is a disgrace. I tried to make the platform as
broad-based and cross-party as possible but I might as well not have
bothered. The attitude of some of the male Assembly members is
derogatory and downright sexist. They treat it like a boy's club and
we can only hope these attitudes do not prevail in the home.''
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