Blog: Reflecting on the status of women on Nollaig na mBan

Nollaig na mBan traditionally symbolised the last day of Christmas, and the day on which women, having worked hard all Christmas, would get a day off. I suppose we were expected to feel privileged that of the 12 festive days, we got one days holiday.

I was in Tralee today to speak to law students at Kerry College of Further Education on the topic of employment law. Reviewing the slow moves towards employment equality for women, and mindful of it being Nollaig na mBan, I reflected on the status of women in Irish society, and learn from past failures. I was giving a talk

Securing full equality for women and girls means closing the gender pay gap, seriously tacking domestic and gender-based violence, and rolling back on austerity measures, which disproportionately affect women.

The latest figures from the European Commission show that women in Ireland are paid 14% less than men. The pay gap has in fact widened over the last number of years, which must be seen as a failure of government policy. While other EU countries have developed an implemented strategies to tackle this issue, successive Irish government has presided over a worsening situation.

Similarly, cuts to services and supports for women experiencing domestic and gender-based violence have been cut over the past number of years. Rape crisis centres and women’s refuges are struggling to survive due to funding cuts, despite seeing an increase in demand. The recruitment embargo has effectively stalled our social care and family support services.

Cuts in the health service and welfare system have disproportionately effected women, and the ever-growing housing crisis is hurting families.

It is clear to me that the slow progress towards equality and fairness made by Irish women is being rolled back under this Government as with the previous one. For all its talk of quality and recovery, it has little interest in improving the lot of women.

The coming general election will give the Irish people an opportunity to bring about political change, and elect a fresh government, that will prioritise social services, fairness and equality. Sinn Féin is ready to lead such a Government.