Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I wish a happy International Women's Day to the Ceann Comhairle and to all gathered here. International Women's Day is a time to recognise and celebrate the strides taken by women towards gender equality and to reflect on the road ahead that we have still to travel. In Ireland, much progress has been achieved. This has been secured by generations of women who have stepped forward and demanded change, who stood up to be counted and to secure a better future for themselves, their daughters, and their granddaughters. Let it be said that many women took a stand against Governments and the State, which had brought so much hurt and harm to them and to generations of women. I think today of Vicky Phelan, but also of all the women and families caught up in the CervicalCheck scandal. I think of those who were in Magdalen laundries and in mother and baby homes. I think of the women who suffered the barbarity and butchery of symphysiotomy. I think of the hepatitis C scandal. I could list more. Women made their voices heard loud and clear in respect of all of these travesties. They were also to be heard loud and clear in the successful campaign to repeal the eighth amendment. The journey continues, as activists campaign for a safe world where women and girls can walk our streets at ease, where women can live safely and with dignity, and where we get a fair and equal day's pay for a fair day's work.

I am proud to be the first woman Leader of the Opposition in this House. I work alongside so many talented, ambitious, and hard-working women who are committed to delivering real change for the communities they represent. This past year saw the election of a republican woman as the North's First Minister designate. She heads our party's team, which has a majority of women MLAs. I think also of the many activists and leaders who have stood up and made their voices heard in so many different ways and often in times of adversity. Yet, for all the progress that has been achieved, the journey is far from over. Women and girls still live in an Ireland where harassment and violence are far too common, where we are paid less than male colleagues, where childcare costs are unaffordable and where the Government often treats the needs of women and girls as afterthoughts. Despite the scourge of domestic violence, nine counties still have no refuge, and those counties with refuges are often forced to turn women and children away when they desperately need help because there simply is not room. The Government continues to fail its obligations under the Istanbul Convention to provide a minimum number of refuge places. This is shameful. Survivors need a safe haven, not just with a bed but with wraparound services such as childcare and counselling on site. That is what real refuge is and that is what must be delivered.

The cost-of-living crisis has hit women particularly hard, as they are on lower incomes, meaning their finances bear the brunt as they try to keep on top of rising rents, soaring energy prices and food costs. Childcare costs are sky-high and totally unaffordable for many women on ordinary incomes. We know that when social protection measures are weakened, it is always women, particularly single mothers, who are forced to shoulder the greatest burden. The Government must continue to deliver sufficient cost-of-living measures to support those on low incomes who need a lifeline now. The State cannot continue to block progressive change. That means the Government must stand up in tangible and meaningful ways. I welcome today's announcement of a referendum on Articles 40 and 41, but this is only the first step. We want to see a change that affords constitutional recognition and protection to caring and carers.

We know that change is possible as the women of Ireland have already created change, not because these rights were handed down to them by anyone else, but because they demanded the changes that were needed, for a better future. Ní féidir cinniúint náisiún na hÉireann a bhaint amach ach amháin nuair atá comhionannas iomlán ag mná. Ní mór d'fhir a bpáirt a ghlacadh san obair sin. Caithfidh siad seasamh i ndlúthpháirtíocht le mná agus an t-athrú seo a éileamh chomh maith. The women of Ireland have been climbing mountains for generations.

For generations, they have moved mountains. We know that we are at our strongest and most powerful when we stand together and for each other in sisterhood and solidarity. While much more needs to be done, on this International Women's Day I look forward to the future with a hope and a confidence that change can and will be delivered.

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