Its OK not be OK at Christmas

Christmas is a wonderful time of year but not for all of us. A quarter of UK adults will have poor mental health over Christmas and 18% of people report they ‘dread’ it. It’s OK not to be OK this Christmas, you’re not alone. Here are…

Disabled Women and Discrimination: Facts We Need You to Know

I was doing some research on women across the UK as a whole, on a wide range of issues, when I came across the UK Women’s Budget Group Briefing on Disabled Women and Austerity. I was so horrified, as a disabled woman myself, about these figures…

Violence against Women is No Laughing Matter – Armagh County Museum Responded to Our Concerns

  UPDATE: Success! We have been contacted by Armagh County Museum who accept that the description demeaned violence against women and girls and have agreed to reword it. They said the original description dated from an exhibition 20…

The ‘clear gender gap’ in NI driving test pass rates has nothing to do with the ability of women behind the wheel, there is something else at play here…

It was reported by the BBC that there is a ‘'Clear gender gap' in NI driving test pass rates’. Women are more likely to pass the theory but men are more likely to pass the practical test. Intrigued, I dug a little deeper to try and see what…

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…

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…