‘Learning about different experiences is important’
WOMEN’S Collective Ireland (WCI) Tallaght hosted a panel talk on embracing and empowering all women’s rights to inspire inclusion, in Tallaght Library to mark International Women’s Day.
A total of 40 people attended the event which featured speakers including Yemi Ojo, the chairperson of the South Dublin Migrant Integration Forum, and local politician Cllr Louise Dunne (SF).
Also on the panel was Ollie Bell, the founder of Trans and Intersex Pride and a non-binary trans activist who is a member of the ROSA feminist movement.
The panel was chaired by Jennifer Phillips, the coordinator of Women’s Collective Ireland Tallaght, and it centred on inclusion – which was the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day.
When discussing inclusion, panellist Yemi Ojo spoke of how “the door has been opened for us, but we need to be listened to once we are there.
“Inquire – ask, ‘What do I need?’ Educate yourself about someone’s culture. Integration is two ways.
“If we sit down and do nothing, nothing will happen. It is important to have representation to understand the oppression of different people.
“We need to have people in strategic places. We can inspire inclusion when we bring people together”, but also that, “we have to make the difference ourselves, not wait for someone else.
“Conversations empower people. Collectively we can make a difference.”
In terms of women accessing opportunities or being able to take up space, Yemi also pointed out: “Women are not just homemakers. When women don’t have childcare, it impacts them.”
Other topics covered included solidarity, grappling with barriers, oppression, and striving for equality within society.
Attendee Denise Harte said she appreciated “how diverse the panel was. Learning about different experiences and perspectives is important”.
Elisha Hughes said her favourite part of the event was “the diverse group of speakers and the use of personal experiences to show how all the issues link together and that inclusion is a collective issue.”
Jennifer from WCI Tallaght said: “The event was organised by WCI Tallaght as an alternative way women could come together to learn and question as opposed to an event that what may be concerned empty conversations about how to include women and other marginalised genders into systems that were designed to exclude us.
“On International Women’s Day, cupcakes and tea parties can feel like empty gestures meant to depoliticise a day that at its core is all about radical collective action.
“The world needs feminists now more than ever. Feminists who challenge the status quo and work collectively to create a world where everyone is truly safe and equal.
“This year on IWD we don’t want cupcakes – we want feminist movements, leaders, policy, active bystanders and societal change. So hopefully we can all inspire that little by little together.”
