Misogynoir in Ireland: Women of Colour and the Far-Right

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Comment Editor Andrea Beyer-Fraile examines the experiences of women of colour in Ireland within the context of the far-right movement, analysing the intersectional discrimination based on gender and race.

Content Warning: This article discusses topics of racial discrimination, sexual assault, rape, and suicide, which some readers may find upsetting. 

As the one-year anniversary of November 23rd approaches, we reflect on the day when Ireland witnessed its first large-scale far-right riot in decades. The far-right movement in Ireland, which has only gained popularity since November 2023, is a political ideology characterised by extreme nationalism, xenophobia, racism, and anti-immigrant sentiments.

We saw Dublin's city centre engulfed in smoke and flames as rioters took to the streets, looting shops, attacking people of colour, and setting fire to public transport, all while chanting racist and xenophobic slurs. Whether you were caught in the crossfire of the violence or watching it unfold on social media, the experience felt surreal, seeing Ireland mirror scenes reminiscent of fascist Germany. The images of Dublin on fire will likely haunt our generation, and should serve as a stark reminder of what the far-right is capable of.

Since last November, we have witnessed a rise in demonstrations and anti-social behaviour targeting people of colour and immigrants, with the movement gaining momentum rather than de-escalating.

The term “misogynoir,” which has recently gained traction in social discourses and on social media platforms, was coined by Moya Bailey in 2008 to characterise the specific form of misogyny directed exclusively at Black transgender and cisgender women. It's a term that highlights the intersectionality of discrimination, as it refers to the unique prejudice faced by Black women due to both their race and gender. While the government and media have been quick to criticise the actions of far-right groups, they have failed to examine the more profound impact on women of colour.

To bring a human face to the issue, The University Observer sat down with Aarushi Menon (she/her), a Psychology student pursuing her BSc, to discuss her experiences with the far-right in Ireland. When asked about her encounters, Aarushi shared that she has often felt targeted and fearful for her safety due to the far-right presence.

“It has been slightly scary to experience as a woman of colour not from this country. Being from Singapore where political outbursts are not prevalent and many times penalised, being present during the major riot back in November was the first time I had experienced something of that sort. It really did scare me being in town and also knowing simply the way I looked could make me a target.”

On the topic of safety at UCD, we were pleased to learn that despite the intimidating presence of the far-right, Aarushi finds comfort and safety on campus;

“I personally feel very safe at UCD and have never experienced even a touch of fear being on campus. There are people of many races and ethnicities who even look like me walking about campus, which I know I can find comfort in. UCD is very insistent on inclusivity and penalises harassment, which makes me feel quite safe.”

Being a woman in Ireland is already a challenge, as our society continues to sideline women's issues.

A study published in the Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine in October 2024 revealed a troubling rise in femicide rates in Ireland, with the percentage of homicides referred to the Office of the State Pathologist (OSP) that were femicides increasing from 1 in 5 between 2012 and 2020, to 3 in 10 between 2021 and 2023.

To be Black and a woman in Ireland is taxing; not only are you in jeopardy of being attacked for being a woman, but you are also at risk based on your skin colour. This intersection is dangerous, as women of colour who are targeted are often ignored and dismissed, which further isolates these women and heightens their fear.

In a conversation with The University Observer, Camelia Antal (she/her), an MSc candidate in Clinical & Translational Research, shared that growing up Black and Irish, she had never felt her skin colour influenced her day-to-day life. Camelia expressed she had felt relatively safe in the city before November 2023. Still, after being caught up in the violence, her safety concerns now explicitly relate to her skin colour. 

“I don't know much about the far-right movement in Ireland, but I was caught up in the November 2023 riots while attending a concert with a friend. It was quite a chaotic experience as the concert got cancelled, and we had to figure out a safe way to get home. We ended up in the basement of TBSI since that's where I was doing my research project at Trinity.

The walk from The Button Factory to Trinity was rough with all the smoke from the fires, but we tried our best to steer clear of large groups of people.”

As we discussed how the rising popularity of the far-right is directly affecting women of colour, Camelia highlighted that she believes that gender plays a significant role; she shared how she has witnessed the toll it is taking on her community.

“There are numerous examples of not only black women but also immigrant women facing discrimination. My sister's neighbour's daughters are, unfortunately, one of these examples. Last year the younger daughter was a victim of rape. Following this, a couple of weeks ago, the eldest daughter committed suicide.”

There is little to no attention being given to the experiences of these women, and support is limited, highlighting the government's lack of concern and care for women of colour in Ireland. It is not surprising that there has been little support for women of colour during the far-right riots and demonstrations since November 2023, considering the insufficient resources invested in protecting them by the Government.

Black African women are one of the most common groups of individuals sex trafficked in Ireland. In its 2023 annual report, Ruhama, an Irish organisation that offers support services to women in sex work and victims of human trafficking in the country, revealed that 155 women from 24 different nationalities were trafficked in 2023. Out of these 24 countries, 15 were located in Africa. Despite the increasing figures each year, the government has failed to improve protection for these women, and there is limited quantitative research being carried out with migrant women from Africa. In this case, the Government and society have decided to turn a blind eye to the issue, as it is easier to avoid than acknowledge the situation's reality.

The rise in extreme nationalist demonstrations makes it difficult for the average person to ignore the far-right movement.

While we cannot control the beliefs and actions of those involved, providing a platform for women of colour to speak and share their concerns and experiences is essential.

It is also necessary for the government to make it their responsibility to protect women of colour. This visibility and support is crucial for these women who face discrimination based on gender and race, which puts their safety and livelihoods at risk.