'Let’s join forces to champion the cause of equality, empower each other, and appreciate the unique perspectives each woman brings to the table'

Niamh Harrington, supported by Cope Foundation

My name is Niamh and I am always willing to help people out. Also, I am very kind and caring and I’ve seen a lot in the last 29 years of my life.

I am supported by Cope Foundation and I have a disability. It’s called dyspraxia, but the emotional side. I have a learning disability too sometimes. I always tell people what kind of a disability I have because it actually doesn’t bother me anymore.

I am proud of how far I have come, even though I have my disability. 

I think inclusion is very important for people in Cope Foundation. We can’t have our disability overcloud our life and we should be treated the same as everyone. It doesn’t mean that we can’t achieve the same things as people without a disability.

I help other people being on the Advocacy Council in Cope Foundation. We are a group who represent everyone in Cope Foundation. We help other people make their own decisions as it can be scary sometimes, but in a group it’s easier. We help people realise that they have a right to make their own decisions.

Some people might not agree with our decisions, but we are adults and we are happier when we are making our own decisions.

We want to help Cope Foundation to have a better understanding of us. People need to have trust in us! Our loved ones aren’t going to be around forever so we all need to learn to be independent and make our own decisions, or else we’ll never be okay in the world.

I am also part of a human rights committee in Cope Foundation, so I’m very busy. I did a four-week course in MTU last year in self-advocacy. I learned a lot about what rights are and also learned more about what to do in life if you’re not getting your rights.

In Ireland, there are not enough support or facilities out there for people with disabilities. It can be frustrating sometimes, but I am doing my best to change things.

Gillian Keating and Caroline O’Driscoll, I WISH

I Wish was born out of a dream to change and influence the world we live in. To do something to increase female participation in STEM. To give girls a voice.

We figured if we motivate and equip those young women with the curiosity and drive to solve the problems the world is facing, it would ensure equality and diversity of thought.

Through the I Wish movement, we have seen over 63,000 girls think about STEM differently and begin to realise their dreams and ambitions through STEM.

Through our community of I Wish partners, I Wish alumnae and role models, supported by a large network of teachers and parents, we are working towards a model that drives real change by influencing policy.

Emphasising the need for inclusive interventions and inspiring female students to envisage a future for themselves in STEM is what #InspireInclusion is all about for us here at I Wish.

Bhagya Barrett, co-founder of Rebel City Distillery. Cork city’s first distillery in half a century

As the only woman of colour leading a distillery in Ireland, inspire inclusion for me goes beyond diversity acknowledgment; it’s about celebration. I believe in creating spaces where everyone feels valued, heard, and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives.

This involves breaking down barriers, challenging stereotypes, promoting equal opportunities, and recognising the richness that diverse voices bring to the table.

Embracing and appreciating the multi-faceted experiences, talents, and strengths of each woman is crucial in building a vibrant and equitable community for all.

Our flagship spirit from Rebel City Distillery, Maharani Gin, is more than just a gin, it’s a homage to revolutionary women worldwide. Each sip pays tribute to the strength and achievements of women who have challenged norms and paved the way for change. From ethically sourcing signature spices to supporting the Women Sun Spice Collective, our gin embodies inclusivity and empowerment. It serves as a toast to the countless revolutionary women, inspiring us to craft not just a beverage but a celebration of their enduring impact.

Dominique Corcoran, Founder of Saol Yoga @yoga_with_dominique).

I run a wellness business based in Durrus, offering yoga classes and retreats, sound healing, meditation and swimming lessons. I’m also Social Media Officer in the 2024 Committee of Network Ireland West Cork.

Inspired inclusion invites us to open our minds and hearts to everyone. To provide a welcoming and empowering space where people from all backgrounds can have an equal opportunity to meet and share ideas and experiences to the betterment of each other. It also means actively working against discrimination in all its forms.

Olive Walsh, Provest

I am a member of the team at Provest, a Pension & Investment Consultancy company based in Cork. I have worked in financial services for many years and it is very evident to me that our current private pension system is not very inclusive for women.

If they have a private pension scheme, and many don’t, they often have a smaller fund at retirement than their male counterparts. This is, in part, due to the fact that many women, myself included, have taken time out of employment during their lifetime to care for children or family members and some will work reduced hours during their lifetime also for the same reasons. Their unpaid role as a carer in the home is not taken into account for private pension provision.

The State Contributory Pension model has become more inclusive, however the taxation structure of private pensions only offers tax relief for pension contributions made from paid employment. 

Women’s pension provision needs to be at the forefront of future pension policy decisions. 

Auto-enrolment, which is currently being finalised by the Department of Social Protection, should include some provision for women as carers and home-makers.

Your private pension contributions should not have to stop when you leave paid employment to care for your loved ones. There should still be some form of top up scenario for your pension contributions in this instance.

At Provest, we urge the Department of Social Protection to use the auto enrolment scheme to correct this imbalance.

We all need to inspire policy-makers to look at alternative and more inclusive ways of acknowledging the valuable unpaid work carried out by women as carers and home-makers when calculating future pension entitlements.

Women also need to be inspired to value themselves enough to seek specific professional financial advice on how to best maximise their future pension entitlements.

Nora Lawton, Director, Springboard Communications

I am a Director at Springboard Communications and also handle the PR for the West Cork Branch of Network Ireland. I have worked in the communications industry for over 20 years - in the last decade, I have been actively encouraging agency bosses and clients to broaden their DEI+Belonging commitments and to create authentic work environments where differences don’t matter.

If anything, critical thinking, active debate and simply not accepting the status quo - all this is encouraged. 

Creating safe spaces, coupled with a sense of belonging and mutual accountability, is important. After all, if we see it, we can feel it and we’ll believe it. And everyone has a valid contribution to make.

Majella Galvin, DNG Galvin - Estate Agent

Inspired Inclusion, to me, is the aspiration for a society where everyone feels empowered, valued, and celebrated for their individuality and contributions.

It’s about fostering environments where diversity flourishes, barriers diminish, and opportunities are accessible to all, regardless of gender or any other identifier.

Inspired Inclusion ignites a shared dedication to uplift one another, amplify diverse voices, and advocate for equality in every facet of life, not only on International Women’s Day, but every single day.

Remi Kolawole, CEO of Solid-Link Consulting Ltd (pictured above)

Inspiring inclusion on International Women’s Day means recognising and celebrating the diverse achievements and contributions of women worldwide. In our community, I believe our strength lies in embracing diversity and fostering an environment where everyone is valued and heard.

On this special day, I commit to watch out for others, engage with the community in a way that brings positive change, and actively contribute to creating a more inclusive space. Speaking up is essential, not just for myself but for those who may need support. I believe that collectively using our voices will inspire positive change and cultivate a culture of inclusion.

Let’s join forces to champion the cause of equality, empower each other, and appreciate the unique perspectives each woman brings to the table. 

Here’s to a future where every woman feels seen, heard, and appreciated. Happy International Women’s Day!

Join Solid-Link Consulting Ltd, at 12, South Mall, for their IWD networking event on March 8, 4.30pm to 7.30pm.

Queenie O’Riordan, Founder, The SISTER HUB, Aghada Co. Cork

‘Inspire Inclusion’ encapsulates the core mission and values of The SISTER HUB Aghada, the first multicultural support network for women in and around East Cork.

It’s about embracing diversity as a source of strength and actively working to break down barriers that inhibit inclusivity. Through our actions and advocacy, we aspire to inspire others to embrace the beauty of differences, promote equality, and create a more inclusive society where all women can thrive and succeed.