YESTERDAY, International Women’s Day was marked all over the world. Regular readers of this column might have guessed by now, that I have a lot of respect for people who 'do'. Women who ‘do’ are a different breed.
I spent the day among a motivated, driven and passionate group of women in Crossmaglen and last night I hosted an empowering concert which featured local female singers and musicians.
There really is something special about a group of women getting together to make things happen. In south Armagh in recent months, a very small group of women have got together to promote language, music and culture.
Indeed, their work is primarily highlighting what already exists all around them – there’s an ancient song or poem celebrating every turn in the road. A lot of these songs and their composers were also celebrated last night. It was a great way to mark this international day of sisterhood.
I have been interviewed about International Women’s Day a couple of times in recent weeks. The role of interviewee, not interviewer, is not one I relish, but it’s good to push oneself out of the comfort zone. The question I was asked time and again, was why is it important to mark/celebrate International Women’s Day?
I freely admit that I didn’t understand the importance when I was a teenager and in my 20s. When I hit my 30s, I slowly began to realise that gender inequality is real, it is engrained into the psyche of society. Is it a good thing to become compliant, to let things go, and not challenge a situation if we think that it is wrong or unfair? I don’t think so.
Days like International Women’s Day highlight a multitude. Issues, subjects which need to be discussed by all of us – men and women alike.
In recent weeks, harrowing accounts of femicide, coercion within relationships, manipulation, sexual attacks, and domestic violence fill the airwaves and consume column inches, such is the extent to which these issues are prevalent in our society. Thankfully, they are being highlighted and, hopefully, hearing of the experience of others will encourage any woman who finds herself in a similar situation, to seek out help.
The detail of these reports is disturbing. Last week Claire Byrne Live on RTÉ 1 broadcast an in-depth interview with the mother and sister of Co Cavan woman Clodagh Hawe who, along with her three young sons, was murdered by her husband, their father. Half of all women murdered in Ireland are killed by a partner of ex-partner. Clodagh’s family are keen to ensure that she doesn’t become another statistic.
On a happier note, last Sunday, the women of Slaughtneil and Clonduff made history on the field of dreams in Croke Park. Clonduff started the ball rolling, winning the All Ireland intermediate camogie title for the first time. The women of south Derry followed suit and secured a three-in-a row All Ireland senior club camogie championship. They are the first Ulster club to do so.
The pictures coming from Croke Park were euphoric. The crowds, however, were disappointing. On Monday morning certain media outlets led their sport bulletins with the gripping news that the Leitrim footballers had secured promotion to Division 3 of the National League. Sigh.
I think that we should all champion the women of Clonduff and Slaughtneil. Engage them as motivational speakers, pundits, commentators. They are leaders and have walked the walk.
Another female athlete who excelled this week was Nicole Hanselman. She is a Belgian cyclist. She posted on Instagram this week to describe the "awkward moment" in a race in which the male racers had an eight-minute head start. The awkwardness came when she caught up with the male peloton. Race officials paused the women’s race to stop them catching up with the men. She finished in 74th place. Wouldn’t it have been great to see what might have happened if she was allowed to continue?
I firmly believe that you have to see it to be want to be it. Just because business – life – has been conducted in a certain way since records began, doesn’t necessarily mean its right. It’s good to ask questions, discuss the issues. Make people think – consider their own actions or, more often, their inaction.
