Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

On International Women's Day, every day and every year, this House has statements on issues facing women. I feel a bit heavier this year because of the number of domestic violence services that have come into the audiovisual room here since I was elected in November. A motion tabled by Deputy Coppinger has been debated. The issue of gender-based violence in this country is not reducing; in fact, it might be completely out of control. So many women are dying in their homes or are being abused in their homes that today, I feel we cannot celebrate until every woman is safe and is not being subjected to that. Over the past number of weeks, we have spoken about counties that do not have any domestic violence refuges. It is an absolute shocking shame that we need to have refuges in the first place - there should not be any violence against anybody, particularly in their own home - but if we do need them, we need them where they are needed in every county. As other people said, the percentage of women in this Dáil is only 25% and it is even less in Cabinet. The Social Democrats have noted previously there are as many men named James as women at the Cabinet table. Until we see more women here, the real-life issues facing women will not be listened to and we will not be able to sort these things out. Half the population is women so half this Dáil should be women. Representation matters. A Deputy on the other side of the House spoke about Barbies. When I was growing up, Barbies only represented one type of person. I did not think I would be this person when I was playing with my Barbies and my Cindys at that time. We need to get a grip in this country about the fact that we need more women in this House. If you cannot see it, you cannot be it. All of us still sitting here today - many are not here, men and women - need to make sure this country is a safer place to be a woman and a girl. Let us make sure in five years that there are more women in this House in order that we can make this country safer and better for all girls and women.

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