Inclusion demands that every voice is heard and valued

Ali Honour, Chef and Climate Activist

I am a Climate Conscious Chef/Activist for eating sustainable, nutritious real food for people and planet. To help educate and mentor for a better food system and battle food waste, and advocate for getting people to eat more beans.

The spotlight is not just on acknowledging women’s achievements but on championing inclusivity that celebrates diversity.

This year’s theme urges us to unite in recognising and valuing the unique contributions of women from all walks of life. In a world where strength lies in diversity, International Women’s Day serves as a powerful reminder to embrace varied perspectives and experiences.

Inclusion becomes a commitment to creating environments where every woman feels seen, heard, and valued. Amplifying women’s voices takes centre stage this year.

The call is to actively listen and share the stories of women from different backgrounds. Inclusion demands that every voice, regardless of its origin, resonates and contributes to the collective narrative.

Celebrating achievements goes beyond applauding the accomplishments of women; it inspires others to break barriers. By spotlighting the successes of women across diverse fields, we not only honour their contributions but also motivate future generations to reach new heights.

Empowerment through support is a cornerstone of an inclusive culture. Women uplifting women creates a formidable force for change.

This International Women’s Day, let’s commit to providing opportunities for growth, breaking down barriers, and fostering a culture of empowerment.

Challenging stereotypes is crucial for fostering true inclusion. As we celebrate women’s achievements, let’s actively work to dismantle limiting stereotypes that hinder progress.

The possibilities for women are vast and varied. Recognising the intersectionality of women’s identities is fundamental to true inclusion.

This International Women’s Day, let’s acknowledge and appreciate the complex interplay of factors shaping each woman’s experience, advocating for inclusivity that embraces all dimensions.

Education and awareness play pivotal roles in creating a more compassionate world. By understanding and addressing the challenges women face globally, we pave the way for equal opportunities and a more inclusive future.

Collaboration is key to building inclusive environments. Inclusion is a joint effort that involves the active participation of both men and women. Let’s join hands to create spaces that value and respect the contributions of everyone, irrespective of gender.

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, let’s actively champion inclusion.

Our collective efforts today pave the way for a more equitable and diverse world tomorrow, where every woman’s potential is not just recognised but celebrated.

Cathy Fitzgibbon, aka The Culinary Celt (Vice President Network Ireland Cork). Irish Food Advocate and Author.

For me this International Women’s Day, inspiring inclusion means mindfully championing the voices, experiences, and achieve-ments of women from all walks of life.

It means creating spaces where women feel empowered to thrive, breaking down barriers to access and opportunity, and promoting gender equality in all aspects of life.

It’s about recognising and celebrating the diverse contributions of women globally, while also advocating for a more inclusive and equitable and sustainable future for all.

Lorna Horgan, Account Manager, 96FM and 103

I am an Account Manager at Cork’s 96FM & C103 where I liaise with clients to create campaigns on-air, on street and online.

As well as this, I volunteer on the committees of Network Ireland Cork and the Marketing Institute of Ireland, Cork.

Inspire Inclusion to me means embodying Diversity, Equity and Inclusion strategies in companies so that they are not just action points in minutes, but actively being put into practice.

I sit on the DE&I Committee for News Ireland as well as being one of the Co-Chairs of the News UK Disability Network, and our ethos is that we are a fully inclusive network run for disabled people, by disabled people, providing a space for discussion and the opportunity to drive internal and external change based on lived experience.

As a neurodivergent woman (I have ADHD Combined Type), inspiring inclusion has always been a value of high importance and I am delighted to be an employee and committee member of organisations who embody Inclusion as a core value as well.

Cláudia Ferreira, Tyndall National Institute

I’m a Biomedical Engineer and final year PhD Student at Tyndall National Institute, funded by the VistaMilk SFI Centre.

My doctoral work is centred on the development of a smart bolus system for multi-parameter monitoring of bovine health, a research area of critical importance in the context of modern agriculture and environmental sustainability.

For me, inspiring inclusion is a key aspect of today’s world. With the vast diversity among people, it is the differences that make us unique and our interactions special.

I believe that inspiring others through the cultivation of empathy, compassion, and mutual respect is a crucial step toward creating a better world, particularly in academia, including and leveraging everyone’s expertise contributes significantly to advancing innovation.

In my perspective, fostering inclusion means reaching out to older generations to encourage the younger ones to pursue their dreams without letting anything hold them back. It involves advocating for equality among young minds, empowering them to confidently follow what they want.

For me, inspiring inclusion is an ongoing effort to foster empowerment and acceptance within the circles of colleagues, friends, and family.

Katie Sweeney, AM O’Sullivan PR

I’m a Junior Client Executive at AM O’Sullivan PR. For me, ‘Inspire Inclusion’ means actively engaging and participating in various communities, while respecting and celebrating the diverse cultures within our city.

This involves not only recognising the unique perspectives and backgrounds of individuals, but also actively seeking opportunities to learn from one another.

By embracing and celebrating our differences, we foster an environment of inclusion, helping to achieve a more vibrant and cohesive community where everyone feels valued and connected.

In my role within the communications industry, I’ve seen first-hand how inclusive communication strategies can drive meaningful change.

From amplifying under-represented voices to developing relationships which can bridge divides, communication is a catalyst for building inclusive communities.

Emma Larkin, writer and gaelic football coach

Inspired inclusion is a huge part of what I try to do everyday in my football coaching and writing. I write unique Irish children’s books with sporting themes featuring female lead characters.

I wrote my first book series as, when I was looking for books for my football-mad daughter who was seven at the time, I noticed a distinct lack of children’s books with female characters in lead sporting roles.

I set about changing this and my Izzy’s Magical Adventures in Sport series was born. The series was also inspired by my grandmother, Maureen Hennebry (neé Cashman) who won three All Ireland camogie medals for Cork.

I also write the Twin Power series for O’Brien Press featuring boy/girl twins in the lead sporting role. These books are equally important to me in inspiring inclusion as in the Twin Power books, boys and girls play sport together as equals. It’s crucial that young boys continue to see girls as their equals in sport and in all walks of life and we can start this from a young age by always treating them as equals.

I coach Gaelic football to U14 girls in my local LGFA club and to U11 boys in my local GAA club. I long for the day when they all play under the one Gaelic games association, as full equals. 

I am actively involved in my local LGFA club on the committee and work hard to ensure that the girls in our community are included in all facets of sporting life.

Rebecca Walsh, student, National Learning Network

Inclusion means treating everyone regardless of their ability giving everybody a chance to shine.

Ciara Heavin, UCC

I am a Professor of Business Information Systems at Cork University Business School at University College Cork. I teach and supervise students, I conduct IS research in the area of healthcare and I enjoy working in higher education!

For me, truly ‘inspired inclusion’ means creating environments where every individual feels seen, heard, and valued, leading to greater innovation, productivity, and overall well-being. 

It is where strong relationships and connections among people from different backgrounds create a sense of belonging, mutual support, trust, and sometimes even fun!

Miriam Bourke, Unio Financial Services Ltd

I am Head of Engagement at Unio Financial Services Ltd. Inclusion to me in all areas of my life , both personal and work, means always trying to create a culture that promotes respect, kindness, equality, understanding, empathy, trust, and is non-judgmental, supportive and positive environment for all.

Niamh O’Sullivan, Trading Manager for Ørsted in Ireland

I was born and bred in Cork! I studied Civil Engineering in UCC and have a Master’s degree in Sustainable Energy. I’ve been working in the Renewable Energy industry for the last 12 years and my current role is Trading Manager for Ørsted in Ireland.

I believe raising awareness around inclusivity initiatives is hugely important to bring the discussion to the fore and to drive change. 

I find it really inspiring to see other females around me making a positive impact. This has empowered me to take action when it comes to inclusion in my industry.

Ørsted recently established a Gender Inclusion network, known as ‘Gender IN’ for staff members in Ireland, which I’m extremely proud to be part of. This provides a forum for everyone who believes in gender equality, to ensure we’re creating a workplace where everyone is represented, included and valued.

We’ve had really proactive discussions, received great ideas to inspire inclusion, and have outlined a number of key initiatives to focus on, which I’m excited to help implement during the year ahead.

Louise Kane Buckley, Naturopath

I run Loula Natural, with nearly 20 years of expertise in holistic health. To me, ‘Inspired Inclusion’ means recognising the importance of personal healing as a foundation for contributing positively to the world around us.

It involves nurturing our own physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing so that we can better support and uplift others in our communities. We become able to intentionally create environments where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered by believing that we are equally as worthy. 

We can then model belonging, innovation, collaboration, and positive change effortlessly.

Maria Cronin, Clearstream

I work as a Head of Unit in Clearstream, a financial services firm based in Cork city, and am the parent of three young children.

I would consider Inspire Inclusion as a call to use our individual voices to call out existing inequalities where we encounter them, while also identifying and developing the talents of women. This creates a ripple effect that encourages others to reflection and action and can be done by men and women alike.

In my view, the continued increase in vocal male allies is essential to ensure we continue to move the needle towards true equality and inclusion.

Ciara Hayes

Inspired inclusion to me is to inspire others to be themselves, we live in a different world our parents were reared in. To be included no matter your race, nationality, sexuality, religion or where you live, what your abilities are.

If you look different, are you being ‘included’. Our world is integrating and modernising too, ‘We are all the One’ comes to mind, we all came into the world and leave the world the same way (I hope), so why not be included and treated equally included in all aspects of Our World today?

I am Ciara , mummy of three, and you’d think in this day and age everyone would be included in today’s world, we can see, we know the history, but tomorrow is a mystery!

Use your vote in the upcoming referendum, do your homework on both sides, educate yourself, here’s to all us ladies on International Women Day, the same day as the proposed change to the Irish Constitution, which also falls on March 8, 2024.

Andrea Christopher Rea

I was always raised to include everyone, it’s never nice to be the only one on the sidelines. As an adult, it is almost easier to be left on the sidelines. This could be due to lack of opportunity to communicate with others in person, perhaps some struggles to bond with others, lack of time for hobbies or even becoming a mother.

After having two children in two years, I find myself either ignored by society as just some incubator/childminder and that’s my only role in life, everything being focused on the kids/family to the detriment of myself.

Or I am told I am terrible for going back to work, which would give my children much more opportunities as a two income household. I have friends and family who have done both, stayed home or returned to work. Both options have benefits to them, but no matter which one you choose, it always feels like you are not giving 100% for your children.

However, that doesn’t seem to be the case for the dads, which isn’t the individual man’s fault, it is completely a society expectation that we can’t shake. My hope for all my children going forward is that the society they grow up in is inspired for full inclusion of everyone without the societal burdens of the past.