women – Slugger O'Toole

The domestic violence crisis

Paul Gosling on December 4, 2023, 9:14 am | Readers 1888

face, eyes, abuse

Women in Northern Ireland are twice as likely to be murdered as a result of domestic violence than in the other UK nations. In some years, almost half of Northern Ireland murders are connected to domestic violence. In the 2022/23 year, of 17 homicides there were eight that resulted from domestic violence against women. Northern Ireland is also an outlier in international terms. While Finland has the highest rate of femicide by a partner, Northern Ireland is joint second with …

Transmitting photographic energy of colour and love: Hannah Starkey’s Northern Ireland peace women

Allan LEONARD (Mr Ulster) on June 12, 2023, 6:19 pm | Readers 533

As part of the Belfast Photo Festival and in partnership with the Ulster Museum, artist Hannah Starkey gave a talk about her previous work and current exhibition on display, Principled and Revolutionary: Northern Ireland’s Peace Women. She addressed an audience of two dozen seated in the middle of the exhibition room, surrounded by 21 two-metre portraits on the walls. Starkey began by sharing memories of growing up in Belfast, accompanying her mother at her market stall, noting her respect and …

‘A long-term devotion to complexities’: women, art and activism

Allan LEONARD (Mr Ulster) on June 7, 2023, 4:47 pm | Readers 802

As part of the Belfast Photo Festival and hosted by the Ulster Museum, several panels of women spoke about how the realms of artistic practice and activism have evolved over recent decades, with consideration of future change. National Museums NI curator, Anna Liesching, explained to the audience of several dozen that the motivation for the day-long symposium was the current exhibition of work by Hanna Starkey, a collection of 21 two-metre portraits of peace women. The first panel theme was …

Peace Heroines: Spotlight on Stormont

Allan LEONARD (Mr Ulster) on September 29, 2022, 4:42 pm | Readers 1217

The Herstory project, established in 2016 to elevate the stories of women in national histories, launched an art exhibition at the Long Gallery in Parliament Buildings, Belfast. “Peace Heroines” features nine vibrant, largescale individual portrait paintings by artist FRIZ — women who have made an indelible mark on the Northern Ireland peace process, including Monica McWilliams, Pearl Sagar, Linda Ervine, Pat Hume, May Blood, Ann Carr, and Saidie Patterson. Several took part in an event discussion with Herstory creative director, Melanie Lynch. After …

Dealing with the menopause…

Lynda Tavakoli on September 27, 2020, 8:00 am | Readers 906

At the age of thirty-seven I had not anticipated being thrown into the menopause practically overnight. The ‘change’ was something that I had always associated with much older women but I felt that when the time came, I would take this natural part of the ageing process in my stride. Perhaps I would not have been quite so smug if I’d known what was just around the corner. My menopausal journey really began when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. …

Unionist concerns and fears of a united Ireland: where are the women?

Sarah Creighton on July 20, 2019, 10:33 am | Readers 11902

Another day, another report into a united Ireland. This time Senator Mark Daly has published his findings on, ‘Unionist Concerns and fears of a United Ireland.’ The report is based on a recommendation given to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. Daly’s research contains writings and submissions from unionist political figures such as Mike Nesbitt, Kyle Paisley and Trevor Ringland. Dr James Wilson, at the request of Senator Daly, also conducted focus groups with …

‘Women lose out in Northern Ireland’

Paul Gosling on May 24, 2019, 7:00 am | Readers 934

More must be done in Northern Ireland to make society open for women and for minorities, argues Alexandra De La Torre, the co-ordinator for NICVA of the Next Chapter, which has the objective of strengthening women’s engagement in civic society and participation in society. Alexandra is interviewed in the latest Forward Together podcast. “I think it is fundamental for civil society to create spaces where there is room for everyone,” she says. “Spaces that are inclusive for women, inclusive for …

Lean In Belfast takes centre stage with Sheryl Sandberg

Sara McCracken on July 24, 2017, 8:51 pm | Readers 603

Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg was interviewed by Belfast entrepreneur Nuala Murphy at a recent event in the British Library about her Lean In journey and latest book, Option B. “It wasn’t even on my radar that one day I would be interviewing Sheryl Sandberg,” said Nuala. “I always hoped we could ‘bring Sheryl to Belfast’, but I didn’t think she would bring Lean In Belfast to the centre stage at The British Library in London for the first community-led event …

Leaning in. The quiet revolution.

Sara McCracken on March 9, 2017, 11:11 am | Readers 380

As International Women’s Day draws to a close for 2017, I’ve been reflecting on why it is necessary to have such a day. It is simple. International Women’s Day (IWD) is about acknowledging that in 2017, women still face discrimination and are under represented in many aspects of public life. Discrimination comes in many guises. For example, from the blatant sacking and sidelining of women who are pregnant, to everyday sexism, such as using derogatory language which subtly undermines women. …

Are women making their mark in political leadership?

Sara McCracken on January 30, 2017, 1:15 pm | Readers 949

Regardless of whether you agree with their politics or not, the appointment of Michele O’Neill as Sinn Féin’s leader in Northern Ireland should be welcomed. Northern Ireland, potentially, could have female First and Deputy First Ministers. Of course that depends on how votes are cast on 2 March, however we now have women leading our two largest parties and if nothing else, it shows that it is possible to reach the top. Combine this with the leadership of Naomi Long …

Mr Trump: What you are talking about is assault, it is a crime, and it is not okay.

Soapbox on October 9, 2016, 7:36 pm | Readers 1074

It’s no secret that Trump is fond of using shocking language when talking about women. Between saying about his daughter “If Ivanka weren’t my daughter, perhaps I’d be dating her.” And bragging – which he is remarkably good at doing – that “All of the women on The Apprentice flirted with me – consciously or unconsciously. That’s to be expected.” I was beginning to think that nothing Trump said could shock me. Last week, however, a recording has emerged that …

#Women1916 “…the war broke out in families as well as society…”

Mick Fealty on March 8, 2016, 1:57 pm | Readers 554

This discussion is worth taking time to listen to, not just because it looks at the Rising from the point of view of women’s history, but it also considers why the social radicalism of many who took part seemed to vanish so quickly. The panel consists of Prof Roy Foster, Carroll Professor of Irish History, Hertford College, Oxford, Prof Senia Paseta, Professor of Modern History, St Hugh’s College, Oxford and Dr. Lauren Arrington, Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Irish …

Soapbox: BBC Question Time and its failure to represent women in Northern Ireland…

Soapbox on January 29, 2016, 1:06 pm | Readers 1793

RIGHT TO QUESTION: The BBC is always beset with criticisms of bias. Recently Question Time faced criticism of for loading the panel to the right. When the programme came to Belfast last week Rosa Thompson was dismayed when none of the questions chosen from the floor included a woman.

Monica McWilliams – What difference does conflict or peace make for women? #feile15

Alan Meban (Alan in Belfast) on August 4, 2015, 11:57 pm | Readers 556

Power works through dominion, but it also works through dependence … [yet] power can be changed. Wearing DDP Barra McGrory’s glasses until her own were located, Prof Monica McWilliams delivered a lecture this evening in St Mary’s University College on Conflict or Peace: What difference does it make for women? as part of Féile an Phobail. The academic and former Human Rights Commissioner highlighted instances of violence and discrimination against women in conflicts around the world, including Northern Ireland. The …

#SluggerSoapbox: It’s about time women were celebrated, but we’ll have to do it for ourselves!

Soapbox on April 28, 2015, 2:59 pm | Readers 549

The following is from Orlaith Hendron, who is a lobbyist in the Women’s Sector in Northern Ireland. We all know people are struggling these days; we only have to go outside and take a look at the house next door where our friends used to live, and know that redundancy meant they couldn’t afford rent. We only have to see ads in church bulletins about food banks and know that there won’t be enough there to help everyone who needs …

Gender Quotas & Politics – candidate quotas can improve competency of candidates of both genders! #imaginebelfast15

Alan Meban (Alan in Belfast) on March 12, 2015, 4:00 pm | Readers 537

Prof Yvonne Galligan introduced the topic of Gender Quotas at an Imagine!2015 Belfast Festival of Ideas and Politics session up at Queen’s University earlier today. Looking across national parliaments in Europe, women make up >40% in Finland, Sweden, Belgium and Spain. The UK manages a shade over 20%, and Ireland just 15%. See the slides under this post. Yvonne looked at a four-stage journey from citizen to representative and the obstacles that face someone being eligible -> aspiring -> nominated …

Abortion: a common secret holding women hostage to man-made law

Jenny Holland on March 10, 2015, 9:59 am | Readers 892

I recently re-watched a documentary called Daughters of the Troubles, a piece of work from the late 1990’s produced and directed by American filmmaker Marcia Rock, and written by late Belfast author Jack Holland (more commonly known to me as Dad.) It tells the story of the Troubles and the working class communities they most affected through the lives of two women, Catholic Geraldine O’Regan, and Protestant May Blood, who not only coped with the violence around them, but actively …

Friday Thread: What crazy woman would pop her head through a glass ceiling?

Mick Fealty on March 6, 2015, 2:05 pm | Readers 355

Well, probably not in general. Definitely not in politics. And certainly not in Ireland, where in the Republic just 15% of politicians are women. But elsewhere, in the global marketplace this is changing rapidly, as Hanna Rosin points out in her TED talk: …for every two men who get a college degree, three women will do the same. Women, for the first time this year, became the majority of the American workforce. And they’re starting to dominate lots of professions …

Women in Politics in Northern Ireland

David McCann on April 22, 2014, 11:25 am | Readers 271

The issue of women in politics, or lack of them to be more accurate has been an issue pondered by academics, pressure groups and political parties alike for years. In September 2013, Michael Potter prepared a research paper on this topic for the Northern Ireland Assembly and his findings make for sobering reading as he states; The Northern Ireland Assembly currently has 21 female Members out of a total of 108 (19.4%), although 20 women were elected in 2011, the …

Abortion clinic opens in Belfast…

Belfast Gonzo on October 11, 2012, 3:49 am | Readers 83

NORTHERN Ireland is to get its first abortion clinic next week. In one of the biggest stories of our generation – and one which will unite hardline Protestants and Catholics – it’s reported that Marie Stopes will open for business in Belfast next Thursday, with the help of former PUP leader Dawn Purvis. The organisation says it will operate within the framework of the law here, but that will do little to assuage the anger of opponents, who will see …