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

Guím Lá Idirnáisiúnta na mBan shona ar gach bean in Éirinn agus ar fud an domhain. Is mian liom aitheantas a thabhairt do mhná le róil ceannaireachta mar tá sé thar a bheith tábhachtach go mbeadh mná ina n-eiseamláirí do na glúnta níos óige. I wish all women in Ireland and around the world a very happy International Women's Day. I want to acknowledge women in leadership roles. Whether it is political or in business, it is equally important because women must be role models for younger generations to emulate. I especially want to acknowledge Michelle O'Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly who were recently elected First Minister and deputy First Minister, respectively, in the Assembly. I wish them well in their roles. I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge all my female colleagues in the Dáil and Seanad. I reiterate that we need to see more women, however, and I appeal to all political parties to select women for winnable seats.

Women in community groups, which is essentially local politics, play a very significant role and their contribution to society is often overlooked. Women also provide the majority of care and save the State billions of euro every year. They deserve more than recognition. They deserve real supports.

I want to speak about the disabled women who frequently reference the fact they are discriminated against on two grounds, that is, disability and gender. Indeed, the glass ceiling is double-glazed for disabled women who have to confront discrimination on an intersectional basis. Disabled women are more likely to be subjected to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence yet a significant proportion of the gender-based services in Ireland are not accessible to disabled women, including intimate partner violence supports. With this in mind, we must recommit ourselves to breaking down barriers, changing stereotypes and creating environments in which all women are valued and respected.

I would like to take this opportunity to remember all the women who are not with us here today due to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and encourage any women who are experiencing this to seek out help and assistance. They can contact Women's Aid, local support services or even talk to a family member or friend. They should seek help, because it is there.

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