Why ‘Fully Flexible’ Job Advertisements Really Mean ‘Lone Mothers Need Not Apply’

I’ve been job hunting recently, it’s not much fun and to be honest, I’m feeling angry, a lot.  I am a lone parent to a 5-year-old and a 15-year-old.  I’m studying a master’s part time and I clean Airbnbs on an ad hoc basis; the cleaning…

SWAN and UNISON are pleased to be able to host a free FGM conference in Belfast

Title: Promoting a multi-agency approach to share best practice of managing Female Genital Mutilation, in Belfast Northern Ireland Tuesday 28 May 2019 at Unison Galway House, 165 York Street, Belfast BT15 1A Audience Police, Health and…

Women’s Voices Then and Now – Celebrating Women’s Stories from 1916 to 1923 – featuring Constance and Her Friends and Grace and Joe by Mary Moynihan, presented by Smashing Times Theatre and Film Company

Smashing Times are delighted to announce a performance of Constance and Her Friends and Grace and Joe at the Pearse Museum, Rathfarnham, on 22 May 2019.   Where:                 The Pearse Museum, Saint Enda's Park,…

The Abortion Pill, Women’s Rights and Policy Reform in Northern Ireland – A Summary

As part of the programme of events for International Women’s Day 2019 WRDA attended a conference on the 8th March. The conference focussed on research into self-managed abortions in Northern Ireland using pills and how the proverbial genie…

Working in a ‘man’s world’ – Do we have it equal?

I knew from a young age that I was destined to go into a technical career.  I’d always shown a particular interest in science and maths and hated languages and art with a passion.  I loved problem solving and playing with my brother’s…

Let’s Not Have a Nightmare Before Christmas

3… 2… and… IT’S CHRIIISTMAASSS! Well, almost. The big day is only 18 sleeps away and it can’t have escaped you that Christmas is everywhere. We’ve had Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and I, for one, have already put my tree up and had…

Angry but hopeful – One woman’s journey as a sexual assault survivor

Editor’s comments TRIGGER WARNING: This blog contains details of a sexual assault and the medico/judicial process following it. 2018 has been a tough year for women generally and for sexual assault survivors particularly. The #MeToo…

An Open Letter from a ‘Bossy’ Woman

Today, a friend sent me a screenshot of an Instagram story from a mutual acquaintance. It was a rambling tirade which detailed views on what it means to be ‘masculine’ and ‘feminine’. It is a baffling, waffly account which seems to imply…

#Ibelieveher and the Máiría Cahill case – A Response from the Women’s Movement

With the current international media focus on Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, and the accusations of sexual abuse made against him by 3 women, it is time to remind ourselves again of our obligation as feminists to step outside of party…

A Positive Blog for Monday

Recent news has been dominated by Northern Ireland’s record-breaking period without a government and the terrible fire in Primark in Belfast City Centre, as well as the now-normal barrage of Trump and Brexit bad news. While all of this is…