TD Chambers highlights women’s struggles at Moylan commemoration
GUEST of honour Lisa Chambers TD and Sheila O’Keeffe laid the Wreath at Sean Moylan’s Graveside during the annual commemoration in Kiskeam on Sunday.
Chambers, the Fianna Fail spokesperson on Brexit, also gave the oration at the annual commemoration for Moylan, an IRA revolutionary and later a government minister.
“There are three areas worth reflecting on that challenge us at this particular moment in time,” Chambers told the gathering. “Firstly, our place in the world in light of Brexit. Secondly the ongoing work for equality between men and women and thirdly the need to a renewal of patriotism to help our island meet the challenges of the future.”
She paid particular tribute to the Cumann na mBan movement, saying “Standing firm shoulder to shoulder with the Men of the south were the Women of the south, the inexhaustible work of Cumann na mBan sustained the foundations of the revolution. The British campaign of terror did not spare hardship on the basis of gender.
“This year marks a century on from Women’s suffrage. Constance Markievicz’s election in December 1918 marked a glass ceiling shattering moment. The progress made in living up to the republicans ideals of ‘Irish men and Irishwomen’ that rang out from the steps of the GPO still has a long way to go” she said.
“Only 23% of representatives in Dáil Eireann are women, on average, women are paid 14% less than men, the ‘Me Too’ movement has exposed an ingrained sexism at the highest levels” she said. “Going forward we have to promote women in politics starting at the local level, we need to tackle exorbitant childcare costs and we have to stamp out sexism in our workplaces and public life” she added.