The National Women's Council of Ireland

Latest News

Monday, November 27, 2023

Second level education key to eliminating violence against women, says National Women’s Council

NWC is calling for mandatory relationships and sexuality education along with supports for teachers and schools to deliver the curriculum...

Wednesday, November 22, 2023

NWC strongly welcomes Oireachtas Health Committee proposals to change abortion law and practice

Women are still travelling abroad for abortion care despite the repeal vote. So today the National Women’s Council ...

Friday, November 17, 2023

National Women’s Council calls for immediate ceasefire in Gaza

NWC says women and children are bearing the brunt of the conflict, calls on Irish government to do everything in...

Monday, November 13, 2023

NWC remembers Vicky Phelan, calls for healthcare system fit to honour her memory

Ahead of the anniversary of Vicky Phelan’s death on 14 November, the National Women’s Council (NWC) sends...

Monday, November 13, 2023

NWC welcomes first GREVIO report evaluating Ireland on violence against women

The National Women’s Council (NWC) has said the report from the Council of Europe’s expert committee...

Wednesday, November 08, 2023

NWC reiterates call for Mother and Baby Unit

Mental health difficulties in the perinatal period are common, with 1 in 5 women reporting this experience in pregnancy or in the...

Wednesday, November 01, 2023

Milestone Day: National Women’s Council welcomes stronger sentences for violence against women

The National Women’s Council (NWC) has strongly welcomed the introduction of tougher sentences for violence against women, alongside...

Wednesday, November 01, 2023

Violence against women and cost of living crises key concerns for women North and South

Violence against women is at epidemic levels in Ireland. And as the cost of living crisis persists, it continues to...

Tuesday, October 24, 2023

Feminist Communities for Climate Justice: Community Work in a Changing Ireland Certificate

Do you care about climate justice issues impacting communities, especially marginalised groups within those communities? Do you want to learn...

Tuesday, October 17, 2023

Everyone who needs an abortion must be able to access it: NWC

Ahead of a meeting of the Joint Oireachtas Health Committee examining the abortion review, the National Women’s Council...

Monday, October 16, 2023

Everyone who needs an abortion must be able to access it: NWC

The National Women’s Council says barriers such as the 3-day wait; criminalisation; geographical gaps; and the 12-week limit...

Tuesday, October 10, 2023

Cuts to childcare costs very welcome, but one-off payments not enough to protect women from poverty

In response to Budget 2024, the National Women’s Council (NWC) today (10th October) ...

Tuesday, October 03, 2023

Upcoming referendum is opportunity to advance women’s rights and equality

A delegation from a coalition of civil society organisations, including the National Women’s Council, One Family, Treoir, Family...

Tuesday, October 03, 2023

NWC welcomes proposal to make oral contraception available over the counter

The National Women’s Council warmly welcomes, as reported in the media today, that Minister Stephen Donnelly proposes to...

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

On Safe Abortion Day, NWC calls for abortion to be available to everyone who needs it

Press Release for 28 September 28 September is International Safe Abortion Day and the National Women’s Council has reiterated...

Latest Blog

Thursday, November 09, 2023

Vicky Phelan - Keynote Speech at FemFest 2019

Your browser does not support the audio element. I was invited today by the National Women's Council to...

Wednesday, November 08, 2023

Constitutional change: how to bring feminist and disability perspectives together

Why is constitutional change important? I want to start by asking the question: to what extent constitutional change is...

Tuesday, July 11, 2023

Orla O’Connor: Why are so many Irish women still travelling to the UK for abortions?

At least 860 women travelled from Ireland to the UK to access abortion since the Eighth Amendment was repealed....

Tuesday, December 13, 2022

Orla O’Connor: Properly valuing care is crucial to women’s equality

Across the span of our lifetimes, we are all likely to care for and receive care from others. Both are...

Tuesday, October 25, 2022

Orla O’Connor: Every woman needs access to reproductive healthcare during her lifespan

The past number of years have been transformative for women’s healthcare in Ireland. Abortion is now available...

Tuesday, July 19, 2022

Orla O’Connor: Government must provide childcare and increase social welfare

At 9.1% in June, inflation is at levels not experienced in almost 40 years. Each week brings news of further price increases,...

Thursday, December 10, 2020

Orla O’Connor: We must recognise harassment for what it is – it is gender-based violence

This year has been like no other. As the global 16 Days of Action on violence against women end today, we...

Saturday, October 10, 2020

Covid-19 hit women hard, now Budget 2021 must support women

Covid-19 impacted on every family in Ireland, through the loss of a loved one, the loss of a job or...

Sunday, February 02, 2020

Orla O’Connor: Why is ending violence against women not an election issue?

One in four women in Ireland experience physical and sexual violence, yet we have heard precious little on the issue...

Sunday, January 26, 2020