NWCI AGM: So, Tell Me Why We Still Need Feminism?

Published: Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Thank you to everyone who attended the AGM, or who participated in the conversation online! It was really great to see so many people there with 17 motions passed, a new Executive Board elected and a lively and thought provoking conversation on why we still need feminism in the morning prior to the AGM.

The morning event saw a lively discussion opened by Minister Kathleen Lynch who introduced the theme of why we still need feminism in Ireland today. 

Angela Towers from the No More Page 3 campaign was our international speaker for the event. She said

“For me, it is very obvious that we still need feminism because on a daily basis, women are judged solely on the basis of their appearance. That women are exploited as sexual objects is a massive feminist issue. We need to discuss what we are teaching kids. We need to ask what message size zero sends to young women and what message the constant sexual objectification of young women sends to young men. We need feminism because women should be celebrated for the incredible and interesting things they say, not how they look.”

Angela also wrote an opinion piece for the Irish Times on the topic which can be read here. 

Former politician Liz O’ Donnell commented,
“Remarkably some young people see no need for feminism these days. They see it as an outmoded ideology, out of step with sophisticated, contemporary life where equality can be taken as read. But advocacy for ensuring the female perspective in policy making has never been more needed in the world. Had feminism been stronger in Ireland we would not be tearing ourselves apart as a society over a woman's right to life saving treatment in pregnancy as recently as last year. Equality for women has never happened by chance in Ireland, or anywhere. It has been hard won and only achieved inch by inch over generations. It has primarily been the work of women."

Una Mullaly, blogger and Irish Times columnist said,
“Look around you. We still need feminism because violence against women is rampant in Ireland, and internationally. Women are routinely shouted down and bullied for having the audacity to step outside and express an opinion. 52% of women feel they have to avoid certain areas for fear of violence. A world where women are too scared to walk somewhere in the dark, or a country where 26% of women in have been physically or sexually assaulted by a partner or another man needs feminism.”

That afternoon, numerous motions around childcare, violence against women and reproductive rights were agreed by our members. A full summary of the motions are available on our website.