Reboot Republic International Women’s Day Podcast series
Published: Wednesday, March 10, 2021
Reboot Republic podcast partnered with us on three episodes for International Women's Day. Our Director, Orla O'Connor co-hosted this seres with Rory Hearne. This series is now available for you to listen in. Make sure to check them out below.
Creating an Inclusive Future – Disabled Women’s Voices
This Reboot Republic podcast is a special episode in partnership with the National Women's Council on the experiences of women with disabilities in Ireland as part of the Future is Feminist for International Women’s Day. Orla O Connor, Director of the National Women's Council joins Rory to co-host the podcast with a panel from the NWC women with disability working group, Eliona Gjecaj, Ann Marie Flanagan and Gladys O ‘Neill. The panel outline the 'double glass ceiling' facing women with disabilities, who treated as 'less-than', and barriers in accessing health services, housing and support.
We also discuss issues relating to domestic violence and support services, outlininig that Ireland uses the language of equality, but has a long way to go in the lived reality of Disabled women.
A universal rights approach, as described in the United Nations on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to support Disabled women, men and children is required. This is a fabulous group of women articulating the need for change, real inclusive equality and active feminism.
IWD 2021 – The Future is Feminist
This is the second Reboot Republic special podcast in partnership with the National Women’s Council of Ireland for International Women’s Day 2021.
In this podcast Orla O Connor, Director of the NWC, hosts a panel discussion with Ailbhe Smyth (Feminist Activist), Tessa Collins (Pavee Point), Jennifer Okeke (Immigrant Council of Ireland), and Susan Lohan (Adoption Rights Alliance).
The panel highlight the key issues for women’s rights in Ireland and how to work collectively to bring about the needed change. They discuss women in COVID, and ask why were women’s voices not represented, and that women have carried a disproportionate burden of the care work. They highlight marginalised women such as Traveller Women’s experiences of discrimination, housing and education, migrant women and racism, gender based violence. They advocate a feminist movement that leaves no woman behind, a social economy that values care over profit, and call for solidarity across society for women, and to address the scars of inequality highlighted in COVID.
IWD – Empowered for Change – The Future is Feminist
This Reboot Republic is the third podcast for International Women's Day 2021 in partnership with the National Women's Council. In this podcast we cover the issue of the experiences of women in Direct Provision. Orla O'Connor, Director of the NWC, talks to Owodunni Ola Mustapha, Rosemary Kunene and Ellie Kisyombe.
They explain the particular vulnerability of women in Direct Provision, the how it allows for the exploitation of women and the trauma of institutionalisation. The panel share their views on what they identify as the denial of human freedom and some of the biggest challenges around work and childcare. They also give their view on Governments White Paper on Ending Direct Provision.
These are voices that need to at the centre of any plans. They are wonderful empowered women leaders for now and the future. You either let the system break you or you break the system.