March 2013
2 posts
“I want to do it because I want to do it. Women must try to do things as men have...”
– Amelia Earhart
February 2013
4 posts
The Women of Irish History
History is written by the powerful. It is unsurprisingly that the significant role of women in Irish culture and history has been confined to a limited and specific stereotype of caring mother and supporter. To say that women haven’t played a significant role, is to be blind to the centrality of strong women in Irish culture. Any one who read in school Táin Bó Cúailnge...
“In a society where the rights and potential of women are constrained, no man can...”
– Mary Robinson
January 2013
1 post
November 2012
2 posts
5 tags
Ireland's Internet Bullies
In the last two months, two young Irish women have been driven to suicide by online bullying and harassment.
Erin Gallagher, a 13-year-old girl, was found dead in her Donegal home last Saturday. This follows the suicide of 15-year-old Ciara Pugsley from Co. Leitrim.
Both young women had been harassed on the social media website, ask.fm – which allows users to ask and answer anonymous...
June 2012
2 posts
6 tags
Testing institutional discrimination
On June 6th, approximately 177, 000 students started the Leaving Cert,the controversial jewel of Ireland’s education system. Every year the Leaving Cert is criticized for its archaic use of rote learning and every year the academic dominance of girls suggests that the Leaving Cert is gender imbalanced.
For those applying to medical school there is the added pressure of the Health...
2 tags
Online dating; commercializing relationships?
Preliminary admission of guilt: I’ve always been sceptical of online dating. I know that there are people who find the love of their life online but I suspect that they are in the minority.
An online profile lets you highlight how cool your taste in music is, or how “you’re a total sweetheart” or “always up for a laugh”. And when you are your own judge and editor you can totally ignore the things...
May 2012
1 post
5 tags
Marine Le Pen: Proof that a woman candidate isn’t...
In light of a growing social movement to support women entering politics in Ireland, failed French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen offers us a compelling reminder that a woman in power does not necessarily work for gender equality.
Marine Le Pen marketed herself as the new face of the Front National; France’s extreme nationalist party. Superficially, she represents a change in the party’s...
April 2012
3 posts
6 tags
Female Genital Mutilation banned in Ireland
The Irish government shall provide “culturally appropriate” training to teachers and doctors in order to “treat and identify” cases of female genital mutilation (FGM), according to a spokesperson for Amnesty International Ireland.
The Seanad last month banned the practice of FGM in Ireland. It is also made it illegal for someone to take a girl abroad to have the procedure performed.“This...
8 tags
Abortion and Transgender Motions Passed at Labour...
Members at the Labour Party Conference in Galway this weekend passed separate motions relating to both to transgender equality and abortion legislation.
Motion 19 called on the Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton to bring forward legislation that takes account of the human rights and dignity of transgender persons in accordance with the recommendations of the Human Rights Commissioner...
9 tags
Fine Gael vote sparks optimism on marriage...
Fine Gael delegates at last month’s Ard Fheis have voted in support for a motion, put forward by Mark O’Meara of Young Fine Gael, that the upcoming Constitutional Convention should prioritise an analysis of the proposals for same-sex marriage in Ireland. The Constitutional Convention was one of the tenets of the Fine Gael 2011 election campaign; promising to examine...
March 2012
4 posts
9 tags
Discrimination in all it's dirty forms
You might think to yourself “people in Ireland don’t get discriminated against”. If you’re thinking this chances are you’re probably well-off, a man, heterosexual and white. Anyone who doesn’t fit this build has probably felt discriminated against at some point.
Women feel discrimination based on the fact that they are a woman. If a woman gets a promotion in...
6 tags
La bonne mamam – motherhood in France
It’s a tall order to feed, clean, cloth, entertain and instil values in another human being, and those just cover the basics. Of course fathers should and do play a role but the bulk of the job is still usually left to the mother.
The Irish constitution preaches the virtue of a woman’s place in the home with her children but the state doesn’t provide much to make...
12 tags
Great Irish Women through History
In honour of International Women’s Day iGenders has complied a “small” list of Irish women past, present and mythical who we feel are role models for Irish women. Peruse at your pleasure and feel free to add your voice.
Queen Medb. She was Queen of Connacht, married several times, took many lovers, had many children and was generally the WOMAN! Most famously in the Táin Bó Cúailnge...
5 tags
Delusions of gender
Are we all victims of biological predilection or does society have a stronger hand in moulding our gender image?
Psychologist Cordelia Fine’s book Delusions of Gender argues that when people are reminded of their gender and its stereotypes, they will live up – or down – to that image. Choices and opinions are not made in a vacuum.
Start the Discussion today. Check out Professors Fines in action...
February 2012
2 posts
6 tags
How to do "I DO"!
Family and friends have been told the great news. The date has been set and the search for a venue begins.
All the excitement and big visions for a glorious day where you wed the one you love becomes this great big search for the perfect everything: venue, hotel, restaurant, invitations etc. Well before the dust settles on the great plans, jump in and secure that date you have in mind; the...
6 tags
Ireland needs gender recognition legislation
In 2012 Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton needs to introduce legislation that will provide legal recognition of acquired gender for transgender individuals.
Mrs Burton had announced this intention in June 2011 with the publication of a report by the inter-departmental Gender Recognition Advisory Group (GRAG). GRAG was set up to in May 2010 to advise the government on a 2007 High Court...
