National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI) & TASC launch book today to highlight new feminist is

Published: Tuesday, March 04, 2008

' The position of women in contemporary Irish society at the beginning of the 21st Century is as challenging now as it has been in any previous period in Irish history, where substantive inequalities persist and yet it is a common perception that women have never had it so good' stated Joanna McMinn, Director of the NWCI and Paula Clancy, Director of TASC ahead of today's launch of a 'Where are we now? New feminist perspectives on women in contemporary Ireland'

Explaining why the NWCI and TASC jointly commissioned the book, they explained: ' As this book documents, many of the issues which feminists have been discussing for the last fifty years, inequalities in the political structures, in work and in access to services and income, are still depressingly evident.'

'Where are we now?' will be launched today (Wednesday) to mark International Women's Day.

Describing the background to the book, Editor Ursula Barry stated: 'The intention behind this book is to address a gap in the social analysis of contemporary Ireland by focussing on the situation of women. Its main aim is to bring together a range of feminist writers and activists to reflect on gender inequality.

'The publication of this book is unique in that up to now there has been little published that draws specifically on a feminist perspective to explore central aspects of women's lives in the Republic of Ireland in the 21st Century' she continued.

'The shared outlook amongst the authors is one of greater equality between women and men, respect for gender and sexual diversity within a system of enhanced economic and social justice, human and reproductive rights' Ms Barry concluded.

The book, 'Where are We Now? New Feminist Perspectives on Women in Contemporary Ireland', highlights:

• That Irish women are now having dual responsibilities as earners and primary carers;
• the lack of a national framework for the legal protection of migrant women;
• the extreme discrimination experienced by lesbians for not being allowed to form families;
• and a climate of backlash against human rights conventions and global campaigns to prevent violence against women, amongst other issues.

The book will be launched as part of an afternoon seminar, where Guest Speaker and Journalist Medb Ruane will offer her views on the impact and challenges of feminism in Ireland.

Clearly there has been change and progress for women, brought about through feminist activism in Ireland as documented throughout the book, but as the Introduction notes: 'we have a long way yet to travel before women in Ireland become a 'significant force' and a longer way still before we achieve equality and justice'.

ENDS

Contact:
Ciara O'Shea, NWCI Communications Officer, 087 993 7663 / 01 8787 248

Editor's Notes

Venue : Academy Plaza Hotel, Findlater Place, Dublin 1
Off O'Connell Street, opposite DIT, Cathal Brugha Street

Date: Wednesday, March 5th, 2008

Time: Afternoon Seminar - 14:00hrs to 17:00hrs -
Guest Speaker Medb Ruane - Journalist

Book Launch & Wine Reception - 17:30hrs to 19:00hrs -
Guest Speaker Susan McKay - Writer & Journalist

TASC is an independent think tank committed to radical thinking leading to progressive social change in Ireland. Seeking new ideas & developing alternative policy solutions, its publications give expression to a diversity of perspectives within an overall commitment to a more equal society.