Debate contribution: International Women’s Day 2024

Debate contribution by Mrs Deborah Erskine on 11 March 2024.

MLA

Mrs Deborah Erskine

Party at the time

Democratic Unionist Party

Date

11 March 2024

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Private Members' Business

Heading

International Women’s Day 2024

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 4270136

Read the official Assembly record

Text

Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. On Friday, we celebrated International Women's Day, and, yesterday, we celebrated Mother's Day. This morning, I woke up to a Spice Girls song on the radio. That shows what I listen to in the morning, but it certainly was apt given the motion in the Chamber today. It takes me back to that 1990s movement of girl power. It might seem a bit frivolous to talk about that, but there is something in realising your true potential as a girl and a woman and the positive force for nature that that can be. It is important that we make sure that we have aspiring role models in our society for young girls and women, and it is on all of us in the Chamber, male and female, to ensure that that is the case. I want to ensure that there is true and genuine equality. I do not want to be just a tick box because I am a woman; I want my merits to shine through. It is important to recognise that. Last week, it was very positive to see the photograph of all the female MLAs. In 1998, just 14% of MLAs were women. Today, it is 38%, and we also have the first all-female Executive Office. That is a very powerful statement. I could not stand in the Chamber today without recognising two women who were very influential in my life and who shaped my life in the home and politically. The first is my Granny Armstrong, who taught me the value of fighting for my place in the world and of never giving up in the face of barriers. The second is the first female First Minister of Northern Ireland, Arlene Foster, who recognised something in me that I did not. Without her encouragement, I would not be here today. It is about women looking out for women, and I hope that that continues to grow, but not only in the Chamber. It is important that we foster a legacy of mutual understanding and a willingness to work together, and I hope that that will feed out of the Chamber into the rest of society. I also hope that we deal with issues such as childcare, which is an important issue outside and inside the Chamber. We need to deal with that, and I hope that we can do that for all families. I will move on to the contributions that were made during the debate. I thank Cara Hunter, who moved the motion. She pointed to the barriers that have been broken down and the need to do more in society. She also talked about period poverty, which is a huge issue that still needs to be tackled. She pointed to the open discussions that we now have about women's health, particularly on topics that were once taboo, and that is brilliant to see. That is really important. Emma Sheerin pointed to the theme of International Women's Day, which is to inspire inclusion. She also pointed to the change that there has been in society, the fact that there is still more work to be done and, of course, the strategies that are coming forward to support and help women. The deputy First Minister pointed out the fact that we are celebrating and marking International Women's Day in so many different ways. It is OK to be feisty and strong as a woman and to put forward your point. I am probably in that category as well. She also made a valid point about women of faith, who, sometimes, feel that they are on the margins of some women's movements. She mentioned the Ulster Women's Unionist Council. Some of my family members were part of it as well, which also helped to shape my political life. Kellie Armstrong highlighted issues around carers, childcare and poverty, and the need to tackle stereotypes. I welcome Mr Butler's contribution as well. We welcome it and should actually recognise that, whilst it is important that we, as women, tap ourselves on the back, we also need to stand up and say thank you to the men who encourage inclusion and support women.

I thank the Member for his intervention, because he is absolutely right. It helps with education when it comes to tackling issues such as violence against women and girls. I also thank him for pointing out the contribution that Baroness May Blood made to life in Northern Ireland, and that of some of his colleagues in the Chamber, whom he mentioned. Sinéad Ennis highlighted sport. I thank her for bringing that into the debate, because we have all been there. I enjoyed sports as a teenage girl, but, after that, it did not really go anywhere. As you can see by the look of me, I do not go running as much as I ought to. She laid down the gauntlet for us to turn up and support women's teams. That is an important challenge for us all to take on. The junior Minister Mrs Cameron pointed out that she was the first female mayor in her council area. She also raised the issue of how some people still believe that a woman's place is in the kitchen. Unfortunately, I have also had those comments made to me. When I became an MLA, I was asked how my husband copes without me. My husband copes very well. Diane Dodds made a poignant and valid point in her intervention. Whilst we are talking about the issues that we face here in Northern Ireland, there is a wide world out there, and we have to recognise that we must also work on ensuring that women and girls elsewhere have the same rights and opportunities that we do. I thank her for that. Connie Egan referred to events in her constituency. I thank her for pointing out the challenges that some women have overcome in her area. Declan Kearney referred to the situation in Gaza and Israel. I hope that he will join me in condemning Hamas and the torture and rape of women that it carried out. Mike Nesbitt highlighted how difficult it was for women in the TV industry. It actually still is. Particularly when women are commentating on sport, there can be commentary on social media. He also raised an important point about gender budgeting, which, I thought, was interesting. It is something that we could look at in different Departments. Mrs Dillon pointed out historical and institutional abuse. I thank her for her powerful contribution on that. I know that she feels strongly about that issue. She has been a powerful advocate on it in the Chamber for quite some time.

It is really important that we use our voice to speak out for women who do not have a voice.

Lastly, Claire Sugden stressed the need for investment in women in all aspects of civic society. That is a very important point. I will also just say that I saw a lovely photograph of Claire and Indy at the weekend. We, as a Chamber, want to put on record our thanks to the many women in our daily lives who have helped and supported us and got us to this point. I thank Members for their contributions and for the motion.

1,221 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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