Debate contribution: International Women’s Day 2026

Debate contribution by Ms Emma Sheerin on 3 March 2026.

MLA

Ms Emma Sheerin

Party at the time

Sinn Féin

Date

3 March 2026

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Private Members' Business

Heading

International Women’s Day 2026

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 5434915

Read the official Assembly record

Text

I beg to move

Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-Leas-Cheann Comhairle.

I am pleased to have the opportunity to address the Assembly to mark International Women's Day, which falls on Saturday. The motion invites us to reflect on the contributions, leadership and lived experiences of women from across every part of our society, and it challenges us to recognise the work that remains to be done. We know the value that women bring to our society, be it in classrooms, boardrooms or waiting rooms. Women are carers, cleaners and CEOs, and the work that they do, both paid and unpaid, turns the world around. Whilst we acknowledge progress, we must also be honest about the persistent inequalities that shape the experiences of too many women and girls. Structural barriers remain, as does everyday sexism, violence and the threat of violence. For women who step into public life, hostility, intimidation and abuse, online and offline, remain an exhausting and often frightening reality. Today, the Assembly sends the message that women's voices will not be silenced. We will amplify them, and we will stand with them. We commit ourselves to building an environment where women can participate fully and safely. The motion rightly acknowledges the organisations — large and small; grassroots and national — whose efforts inspire, equip and encourage women into leadership positions. Representation does not happen by accident; it happens because people and organisations invest in women and girls. It happens because someone, somewhere, has said, "Your voice matters. You belong here", and for that work, we are deeply grateful. As a member of the Assembly Women's Caucus, I am proud of the collaborative and cross-party space that it provides in this institution. Politics is very often divisive — that is the very nature of it — but the caucus shows what is possible when we come together with a shared purpose. A recent two-day conference, entitled 'Supporting Women in Public Life', was a fantastic example of that, and it brought together women from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, North and South. Throughout the event, we heard from women who have broken new ground, challenged long-established norms and led with integrity and courage. We heard about the persistent barriers women face, and the innovative work being undertaken to dismantle them. Perhaps, most importantly, we created a space where women could connect, collaborate and learn from each other. The experiences shared were honest, inspiring and, at times, deeply challenging. Women spoke about not only their achievements but the realities of leadership: the scrutiny, the expectations and the burden of online and in-person abuse, which disproportionately targets women in public life. The Executive's strategic framework to end violence against women and girls, which is an epidemic in this part of the world, is a crucial step towards addressing one of the most significant and enduring obstacles to equality. Violence is not only a criminal justice issue; it is a societal issue. It shapes women's behaviour, their freedom of movement, their opportunity to thrive and their sense of safety. The framework sets out a bold ambition, but ambition must be matched by sustained implementation, resourcing and accountability. Ending violence against women and girls requires a cultural shift, and a cultural shift requires leadership from government, institutions, communities and every one of us. It requires bravery and people standing up and speaking out against societal norms. International Women's Day is a global celebration, but it is also a day for reflection and responsibility. Our world is in turmoil, and history tells us that women are the biggest losers in war. Women rarely start wars, but we face the impact of them all the more. At this time, I find myself thinking of the young women and girls whose stories of oppression are being used as cover by egomaniacal warlords to justify using their weapons of mass destruction in yet another ploy to get oil and other resources. They do not care about those women, but they use them to further their objectives. Just this weekend, over 150 women were murdered in a joint project, but their names are not spoken. We owe them a future that is shaped not by limitation but by possibility. Today, we celebrate the achievements of women across history and across our communities. We honour the women who led before us, the women who lead beside us and the women whose roles in leadership are ahead of them. We recommit to equality, opportunity, safety and the shared belief that women's leadership strengthens every part of our society.

757 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

Not flagged

Jev’s structured answers

Assessed 21 October 2026 at 15:02 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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