Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I wish all women a happy International Women's Day. I take this opportunity to recognise the many achievements of women in all walks of life, from their role in politics, to their roles in sport, community activism and business. We regularly discuss how to encourage more women into electoral politics and it is essential the efforts to do so continue. Women are frequently the mainstay of community and voluntary organisations. That, in essence, is politics because they are making important decisions for their community. This needs to be recognised and women should take a step further and take their place on local councils and in politics at national level. Caring roles are predominantly held by women, whether that is childcare or taking care of the elderly or the sick. Efforts must continue to ensure these roles are shared, because that is often the reason women refuse to become involved in politics.

When referencing caring, I will take this opportunity to call for a review of the carer's allowance, both the means threshold and the need to increase the amount paid to reflect that for many, this is a full-time, 24-7 job. It is a job from which family carers get no statutory rights to holiday or sick pay, mandated breaks or any of the other rights and entitlements the rest of us enjoy. It is a full-time occupation which prevents them from following their own career dreams and ambitions. I commend all carers, but commendations do not pay the bills and they do not replace monetary recognition for the work carers do and the life put on hold every day.

As Sinn Féin spokesperson for disability, I highlight the fact that disabled people are discriminated against by society, but disabled women are discriminated against more so. Recent studies have found that 34% of women with a health problem or a disability have experienced physical or sexual partner violence. This is compared to 19% of women who do not have a health problem or disability. Recent research by the University of Galway found that disabled women are more likely to experience violence, with 40% of disabled female students reporting rape compared to 27% of non-disabled students. More needs to be done to address this very serious issue.

I especially remember all the women who are not here with us today as a result of being violently killed by a partner, a former partner or a stranger in the past year. I pay tribute to them and their families.

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