Comment editor Katie Larkin discusses the modern struggles of women living in Ireland and the issues they face in Irish society with regards to safety, healthcare and sexuality.
While “woman” is an intersectional and flexible category, women of all walks of life face continuous struggles as a result of their gender. Ireland has had a complicated history with women and has been slow to “keep up with the times” of modernity and equality. In 2024, women in Ireland are still faced with a plethora of systemic, societal and economic issues.
When striving towards the ever-desirable albeit nebulous goal of equality and peace, it is important to acknowledge how living experiences diverge in relations to gender, as issues relating to bodily anatomy, safety and menstruation are bespoke to womanhood. While being a woman is a greatly subjective experience that can be summarised in finding comfort in the label “woman” there are experiences that women in Ireland in 2024 do share.
When striving towards the ever-desirable albeit nebulous goal of equality and peace, it is important to acknowledge how living experiences diverge in relations to gender, as issues relating to bodily anatomy, safety and menstruation are bespoke to womanhood.
Recently and positively, female contraception has become completely free in Ireland for those between the ages of 17 and 31. However, it is necessary for women and people with uteruses to reside in Ireland and have a PPS number. The free initiative covers the cost of doctor's visit relating to getting a prescription, the prescription itself, and follow-up appointments. Although contraception can have many side effects - weight gain, anxiety, blood related issues and mood swings to name a few -, the initiative is a step aimed at helping women economically and sexually. Having free period products available across the country could be an additionally useful step forward in this regard.
However, 2023 saw the highest recorded figures of sexually transmitted illnesses (STI) being spread across Ireland amongst young people. While the cost of female contraception is covered, the cost of condoms is not and from a student perspective where alcohol and partying can be involved, safe sex may not always be practised properly. While most STIs are easily treated and there should not be any shame or stigma in contracting one, the possibility of infection is worrying. Another thing to be concerned about, alongside birth control, is fostering a culture of sexual respect and mutually practised consent.
While 2018 saw the landslide victory to legalise abortions in Ireland, there is still an ongoing issue with the fairness and reality of these practices that are still rooted in shame and intrusive self-assessment. Indeed, there is still a mandatory three-day wait period after requesting a medical abortion from a healthcare professional. Without the proper resources, comfort from family or a partner and so on, this may be distressing for women living precariously and alone. The 12-week maximum time for an abortion to take place also raises concerns. The National Women's Council of Ireland reported in a blog post how a woman's abortion pill at 8 weeks failed, and she only had two weeks to schedule a medically supervised abortion; if the procedure failed, she would be forced to continue her pregnancy. Nevertheless, there is legislation being proposed aimed at changing the conditions of abortion in Ireland.
While 2018 saw the landslide victory to legalise abortions in Ireland, there is still an ongoing issue with the fairness and reality of these practices that are still rooted in shame and intrusive self-assessment.
Women’s safety in public is amongst the biggest issues related to womanhood in Ireland. Especially following the case of Ashling Murphy, who was murdered in broad daylight while on a run in Tullamore, County Offaly. Women’s safety is uncertain in smaller towns and bigger cities alike across the country with ongoing issues related to taxi safety, late night transport and sexual harassment. While campaigns for safety are widespread, there seems to be a lack of initiative on the ground from the government to make the streets safer for not only women, but for all.
While campaigns for safety are widespread, there seems to be a lack of initiative on the ground from the government to make the streets safer for not only women, but for all.
Issues surrounding the LGBT+ community, and particularly those who identify as transgender, are ever-present in relation to safety and acceptance. Safe spaces for people within said communities seem to dwindle; the recent closure of All My Friends pub, which was a safe place for the LGBT+ community, is a clear example. The more recent and notable attack in Cork in March 2023, when a transgender woman was targeted in broad daylight. In 2022 already, RTe reported that 76% of LGBT+ identifying students do not feel safe at school in Ireland.
While this comment painted a grim picture, hope remains. Indeed, several organisations have put in place campaigns aimed at increasing women’s safety - notably @empowerhervoicedublin and DRCC (Dublin Rape Crisis Centre). Furthermore, safe houses for women’s health and women’s clinics remain available across the country.