‘I salute the generosity, good heartedness, talent and ability of women’
AS we navigate our way through this difficult moment in time, Irish women remain resilient, strong and determined.
Never has this been more evident than the way the women in this country have risen to the enormous challenges presented by the global pandemic.
I think, in particular, of all the women who have been working on the frontline.
It’s indisputable that women are working longer days and longer nights providing essential services for local communities, all in the face of the biggest challenge that we have ever faced as a nation.
I think too of women in business who have shown remarkable talent and flexibility as they completely reimagine and restructure their companies to meet the challenge of Covid-19.
Beyond the workplace, the pandemic has shone a spotlight on the significant caring work undertaken by women, which, until now, has been greatly undervalued.
As Minister for Education I am especially conscious of the invaluable work going on in family homes at the moment to support remote learning for children.
I appreciate this is another additional demand on parents who are already multi-tasking to an extraordinary degree.
I truly believe also over the past two months, women have done their utmost to maintain a sense of normality and have gone the extra mile to offer unwavering support to protect the most vulnerable in their communities.
And so today, on International Women’s Day, it is surely right that we pause to mark and celebrate the personal and professional achievements of Irish women both at home and abroad.
If we strive for a country where full equality between men and women is no longer an aspiration, we must ensure that women are encouraged to participate in the highest offices in the land.
We must encourage the next generation to take part in the implementation of policies and innovations that shape modern society.
Today, we take a moment to salute the generosity, good heartedness, talent and ability of women.
Today, we say “Thank You” and invite all Irish women to take a well-deserved bow.
When this country called on you to rise to the challenge, you did so with grace, indomitable strength and enormous courage and your efforts will help us get back on our feet again when this darkness has passed.