IWD 2024: Let's ensure nobody gets left behind

Eimear Daly, The Crann Centre

I’m the Head of Services at The Crann Centre, just outside of Ballincollig.

I have an interesting perspective on inclusion as my day revolves around providing services for individuals with neuro-physical disabilities and their family members.

Individuals and families living with disabilities experience isolation at a higher rate than the rest of the population. 

The barriers to inclusion that exist for families living with disabilities can be higher for women, especially for those who have specific health needs, or who are often (though increasingly less) in the carer position in the home.

Crann’s approach has always been motivated by reducing societal barriers to inclusion for people with disabilities by providing whole-family wraparound services to children and adults with neuro-physical disabilities, their partners, parents, siblings, and children through our 2Generation Model of Care. In practical terms, this means equitable supports for each family member’s needs.

While most of our services aren’t gendered, on International Women’s Day it’s important to share the opportunities available to women when they have the support they need.

A mother can find peer support with other parents who understand the unique experience of raising children with disabilities. A woman with a spinal cord injury can avail of the cervical check programme in a fully accessible environment. A young girl with cerebral palsy and reduced fine motor function can learn IT skills through assistive technology clinics, supporting her to progress through education on more equal terms with her peers. A sister can work through complicated emotions in a safe and open setting through play therapy or Sibshops.

I’m consistently motivated by the women around me, including the clients at Crann and the team that supports them. When families are afforded the opportunity to thrive, true inclusivity for people with disabilities is possible.

For more information about supports for families living with neuro-physical disabilities, visit https://cranncentre.ie/who-we-support/

Eileen Lynch , Chair of Cork County Council Women’s Caucus, County Councillor for Macroom Municipal District

To me, Inspire Inclusion means ensuring diversity and inclusivity of everyone. Whilst as women we constantly strive for equality and inclusion of women, it is vital that we seek to build a society and communities that are inclusive of everyone irregardless of gender, age, race or sexual orientation. We need to support each other to ensure that no one gets left behind.

Whilst we are making great strides in terms of inclusion of women, our perception of inclusion generally can sometimes be limited. 

I believe this is a wonderful theme for this year’s International Women’s Day in light of the lack of inclusion and tolerance, which seems to be becoming more prevalent, and hope that everyone will try to inspire inclusion.

Shaoming Zhu, lecturer at UCC School of Law

Inspired Inclusion means accepting ourselves as a whole, embracing not only the shining parts that we tend to present to the world - the world where we are expected to show up, perform well, and contribute - but also the shadow parts that we often conceal from others and the external world in order to showcase only the shining aspects.

It involves realigning with our genuine feelings rather than presenting a version of ourselves that conforms to imagined external expectations.

Shannon Haly, Filmmaker

I am a Queer Filmmaker from Cork, currently living in New York City.

‘Inspire Inclusion’ for me means an openness to consider somebody’s experience that is different from our own. I was 21 before I ever saw two women together, so I never grew up feeling like that would be an option for me.

It’s why it’s so important for me now to write stories that show Queer experiences and cast actors that identify as LGBTQ+ because those opportunities are not readily available to us. 

We can’t just open Netflix and have our experiences reflected back at us.

I think ‘Inspire Inclusion’ also means an openness to learn. So often we can be averse to things we may not understand, or afraid of getting things wrong and hurting people that it can be difficult to accept genders, pronouns and sexualities that are not what we are used to seeing.

I hear a lot of push on people giving out about pronouns and I think what we have to remember is that your experience is not the same as this persons. 

Historically, our society has never been structured to cater for queer/non binary/transgender folk and I think in any way that we can help and ensure everyone in our city feels seen and included would make such a difference.

Susana Marambio, Network Cork President and business consultant at www.BBCS.ie

‘Inspire inclusion’ encapsulates the idea of fostering an environment and culture where diversity is not only acknowledged but also celebrated and valued. 

It refers to actions, initiatives, or attitudes that encourage the involvement, participation, and respect of individuals from various backgrounds, identities, perspectives, abilities, and experiences.

‘Inspire inclusion’ is at the core of what Network Cork stands for, and it’s the reason their values resonate so deeply with mine.

Nnenna Akamnonu, Marketing Manager for co-working space, Republic of Work.

‘Inspired Inclusion’ to me is when everyone’s unique ideas and perspectives are not just invited but celebrated. It’s when everyone’s voice gets a chance to be heard with platforms available to share.

Sandra Maybury Network Ireland West Cork President 2024

‘Inspired Inclusion’ is to have the same welcome for everyone, regardless of their status, job title, ability, creed or race. Allowing space for each person to share their stories and opinions and to have their voice heard.

Reham Ghafraji, of Soap and More

It’s all about creating an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives and talents.

It involves fostering a culture of openness, empathy, and collaboration, where diversity is celebrated and individuals are encouraged to bring their whole selves to the table.

I am originally from Syria, based in Clonakilty since 2017. After I lost my job during Covid, I started my own business, Soap and More, inspired by my Syrian heritage and infused with my love of Irish nature.

See Wow! on EchoLive.ie this week for more contributions.