National Women's Council (NWC)

As part of #AntiRacismMonth, the NWC and Irish Network Against Racism (INAR) invite you to a dynamic discussion on how we can uplift and support women in the fight against racism. Hear from incredible women on the front lines of social justice in Ireland—women leading the charge against hate and discrimination. 📅 Don’t miss this important event! 🔗 Register now: https://lght.ly/8mj6bgf

"Hatred of women is built into the structures of our society.” Toxic masculinity, fuelled by online misogyny and figures like Andrew Tate, is escalating violence against women, while society fails to acknowledge the growing threat. Until these toxic beliefs are actively challenged, little will change. Read more: https://lght.ly/dobi331 #Vaw #EndVaw

In honour of #AntiRacismMonth, Helena Power, National Membership Worker with the Irish Traveller Movement read us a poem by Samantha Joyce that she also performed as part of the second women’s assembly meeting Please watch, listen and share – Let’s stand together to end racism in all its forms Traveller Child – By Samantha Joyce Traveller child born to cry, blood on her hands from the pain inside. An Orphan child with something to say. But nobody cares. We were born to pay and pay. So, a life lights up and is played out on the streets. Wind in her hair, with service beliefs she knew were wrong. They Couldn't be right. Traveller child could see what's right. But, can't get free. So, she laid down and took it, couldn't see why. She is stuck in a world surrounded with lies from before, When left alone she cried a lonely tear. Despised the face -Wrecked the place. Traveller child gets higher & higher & higher. Traveller child died last night! Found in an alley in a darkened light. People read their papers today, 6 or 7 times the Suicide rate! So, they raise the name and hail the case. Damned Traveller child without a trace! But the Traveller child was born to pay & pay. get higher & higher. Pay and pay, higher & higher.

On 22nd of March at 1pm, The Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign is organising a National Demonstration for Palestine This is an opportunity to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people. Join them in marching from the garden of remembrance to the Dáil. Together, let’s show our unbreakable solidarity with the Palestinian people. #FreePalestine #SanctionsNow #BDS #EndIsraeliImpunity #GazaGenocide #SolidarityIsAVerb

Yesterday, at the 69th UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York, NWC’s Violence Against Women Co-Ordinator, Ivanna Youtchak, presented important research and spoke at the event GBV Survivors Leading the Way to Change – an urgent discussion on survivor-led solutions to ending gender-based violence. The event was chaired by Róisín Gallagher, Coordinator at the Irish Consortium on Gender Based Violence . Representing the Observatory on Violence Against Women and Girls, both organisations highlighted the urgent need for action to support survivors and drive meaningful change. “The current justice system in Ireland is not working for survivors. We urgently need substantial change and we can learn from survivor groups but also from international good practice. We need to build structures that meaningfully engage with survivors, and which recognise them as leaders and experts through their own experience. These structures must incorporate the survivor’s lived experience at every stage and support the victim on their journey to achieve justice and recovery. We need to believe women when they come forward and ensure they receive the right supports. We need to ensure everyone who comes in contact with a victim has received trauma informed training. And we need to provide free legal advice and support to victims. The Irish Government has already committed to meaningfully listen to survivors in the Third National Strategy on violence against women, but this now has to translate into concrete actions and improved outcomes for survivors and the whole of society.” - Ivanna Youtchak Take a look at some photos from the day. A special thank you to the Department of Children for their support. 📖 Read more: https://lght.ly/2iaeb86 Read the full paper from The Irish Consortium on Gender Based Violence: https://lght.ly/fdliaf #CSW69 #Beijing30 #EndGBV #EndVAW #VAW Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Yesterday the CSO released the latest data on poverty in the Survey on Income and Living Conditions (SILC) 2024 - showing that consistent poverty has risen from 3.6% a year ago to 5%, while the at risk of poverty rate has risen to 11.7%. This is a stark reminder of how the multiple crises facing women and families - including the cost-of-living crisis and the lingering effects of austerity - continue to impact women across the country, and how it is hitting marginalised women and families even harder. ❗Consistent poverty rate for children under 18 has risen from 4.8% to 8.5% ❗Consistent poverty rate for lone parent households with children under 18 (vast majority of whom are women) has risen from 7.1% to 11% ❗Nearly a fifth of those who are unemployed (18.9%) and those who are unable to work due to long standing health problems (19%) are in consistent poverty Urgent action needs to be taken including sourcing supports for marginalised women. We set out some key measures that the new Government needs to prioritise and take in our Feminist Analysis of the Programme for Government. Take a look at them here: https://lght.ly/mbb0ebi Read more: https://lght.ly/n4fclm

A report from the Garda Inspectorate released today raises serious concerns re An Garda Síochána and the handling of domestic abuse cases. Half of the 700 domestic violence victims surveyed expressed dissatisfaction with the Garda response, with the highest dissatisfaction among those who reported incidents in person at a Garda station. This report highlights the urgent need for a victim-centred approach and raises serious questions for AGS. Read more: https://lght.ly/ejpa0bk

NWC are #TogetherAgainstRacism! @IrishNetworkAgainstRacism launched their #TogetherAgainstRacism campaign, running from 14th to 21st March 2025 as part of Anti-Racism Month, and they want you to take action. To take part: 1️⃣ Take a selfie or a photo with your team/friends/family/group using the hashtag #TogetherAgainstRacism. 2️⃣ Post it on social media and tag INAR (don’t forget the hashtag!). 3️⃣ SHARE with others! ⭕ Let’s show that racism has no place in Ireland and promote inclusion, diversity, and equality. Be sure to take a look at their “10 things you can do about racism in Ireland”: https://lght.ly/0d3mpmo View the #ARM2025 calendar for Anti-Racism events from their website: https://lght.ly/37i041m

“Pride is not just a celebration—it is a fundamental expression of visibility, resistance, and community.” #Solidarity

The last few days have been challenging for many women and feminists. We know many of you are angry and so are we. Let’s not take the bait and let some individuals frame the discussion and try to divide us. We know that the vast majority of people in Ireland want to see an end to violence against women. They want to see a justice system that is victim centred and that holds perpetrators to account. Let’s all remain steadfast in our commitment to women’s rights and equality for all women. Together we can build a feminist Ireland.