It’s a historic milestone in a state established a century ago that ensures the dominance of pro-UK unionists. 

“That such a day would ever come would have been unimaginable to my parents and grandparents’ generation,” said O’Neill, 47, in her speech, addressing the Chamber for the first time as First Minister. 

“This is an historic day which represents a new dawn,” she said. “I will serve everyone equally and be a first minister for all.”

“I am sorry for all the lives lost during the conflict without exception,” she added. 

O’Neill now shares a joint office with her counterpart, the newly appointed Deputy First Minister, the DUP’s Emma Little-Pengelly, who also acknowledged that “for many today, it is a historic moment”. 

On Saturday, Northern Ireland’s devolved government was restored two years to the day since it collapsed. 

The DUP had boycotted the devolved government for two years over post-Brexit checks on goods going between Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Power-sharing rules state that the devolved government can only operate with both unionists and nationalists involved in decision-making.

The Sinn Féin party’s leader, Mary Lou McDonald made the remark earlier this week that O’Neill’s appointment put the possibility of a united Ireland “within touching distance”.

O’Neill, however, steered clear of this subject in her opening speech, saying instead: “This place we call home, this place we love, North of Ireland or Northern Ireland, where you can be British, Irish, both or none, is a changing point.”

“To all of you who are British and unionist: your national identity, culture and traditions are important to me.

“I will be both inclusive and respectful to you,” she pledged.

“Our allegiances are equally legitimate. Let’s walk this two-way street and meet one another halfway. I will be doing so with both an open hand and with heart.”

With strong family ties to the region’s troubled past, O’Neill comes from a republican family in Clonoe, Co Tyrone. Her father was an IRA prisoner during the conflict involving republican paramilitaries fighting to reunite Ireland, loyalist paramilitaries battling to remain in the UK and British security forces.

As the former political wing of the Irish Republican Army (IRA), Sinn Féin was historically shunned by both sides of the political establishment. 

Representative of the “changing times”, it’s now the most popular party in the Irish republic. Despite Sinn Féin’s victory at the 2022 election, however, a series of opinion polls have since found the people of Northern Ireland would still vote decisively against a united Ireland if there was a referendum. 

The post Michelle O’Neill becomes Northern Ireland’s first nationalist First Minister appeared first on Women's Agenda.

Iceland’s prime minister, Katrin Jakobsdottir, says that being a female leader is increasingly isolating, The Times reports. 

“Numbers have gone down rather than up so it’s a lonely place,” said Jakobsdottir. “It’s a worrying trend and shows there’s nothing given about gender equality.”

There’s currently 13 UN countries with female leaders worldwide, according to data from the Council on Foreign Relations. Out of the 193 UN countries that exist, this leaves the percentage of UN nations led by women to be less than 10 per cent.

Tsai Ing Wen and Vjosa Osmani, who serve as presidents of Taiwan and Kosovo (not UN member states), respectively, tip the already small number up to 15 total countries worldwide that are led by women. 

Countries like Peru, Italy and Bosnia all saw their first female leaders take office this year, however there’s also been some big-headline resignations– New Zealand’s Jacinda Ardern in January, Moldova’s Natalia Gavrilita in February and Finland’s Sanna Marin was voted out in June. Gabon’s first female prime minister was removed in a coup last month as well.

Despite the lack of female representation, countries led by women tend to be healthier and happier than those led by men. The latest World Happiness report shows 5 out of the top 20 happiest countries were led by women– a ratio that far exceeds the number of women taking on such roles. 

“I think if we had more women at the table making decisions we would have less conflict and more focus on the well-being of the population,” said Jakobsdottir, who has made a point to centre gender equality in her speeches throughout her time in Iceland’s top office.

“The sad fact is gender equality is not high on the agenda for many men,” she said. “Of course there are good exceptions but very seldom. And when there are so few of us women in leadership positions I think it’s our responsibility to wave that flag wherever we go.”

Last month, Iceland was declared the global leader in gender equality for the 14th consecutive year. 

In a 2019 opinion piece for CNN, Jakobsdottir wrote that she was determined to ensure her government plays its part in achieving gender equality.

“We have reviewed laws and processes, sped up our prevention work against sexual and gender-based violence and abuse, and undertaken a thorough review of the government’s role as an employer. Yet, we need to do more,” she wrote.

Four years later Jakobsdottir is still hard at work in progressing gender equality, noting that even though her progressive country is world leader, they still have a gender pay gap, gender-based violence and a business sector where women are lagging behind.

“So us being world leader tells a story that we have been quite progressive but also that the world isn’t doing very well when it comes to gender equality,” she said.

Her nearly six years in power makes her the world’s second longest female incumbent, and during the pandemic, Jakobsdottir’s leadership saw the country have one of the world’s lowest death tolls. 

“There was a real pushback on women’s rights during Covid and it’s hard to get back,” said Jakobsdottir, pointing out that this regression is also apparent when looking at how backwards things have gone with abortion rights in the US and in some European countries.

The post ‘It’s a lonely place’: Iceland PM Katrin Jakobsdottir on the decline in female world leaders appeared first on Women's Agenda.

But we wanted to take a moment to talk about some of the moments that got us talking (and laughing) often with pride, and also those that had us scratching our heads regarding their stupidity and absurdity.

We remember (and celebrate!) Florence Pugh ‘freeing the nipple’ and Grace Tame pulling ‘that face’ at Scott Morrison. We recall the conservatives blaming young women for the demise of their party base, and the women telling the world that ‘yes’ female prime ministers are allowed to dance.

We also remember The Melbourne Club continuing to prohibit female members and the short-lived “women’s network” logo that looked like a penis.

Check out some of these moments below.

For all the moments that come in 2023, subscribe to our daily news update here.

Grace Tame pulling ‘that face’ at Scott Morrison

In January, Grace Tame had a frosty meeting with former Prime Minister Scott Morrison in Canberra. 

The 2021 Australian of the Year and sexual abuse advocate seemingly refused to look directly at Morrison while shaking his hand. Then, as photos were taken of the two of them, Tame held a distinctly unimpressed facial expression.

When Morrison’s government held power, Tame didn’t hold back from criticising his poor responses to women’s safety issues. No matter how much Morrison attempted to laugh or ‘how good…’ it off.

The penis-shaped ‘Women’s Network’ logo

In March, the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet revealed its new “Women’s Network” logo, causing a social media uproar when people began calling out its phallic appearance. 

Much of the public initially thought the logo was fake but quickly came to realise the joke was lost on the Department.

The “disturbing” trend of young women rejecting parties on the right 

This year, right-wing parties started to fear the power of young single women, with many conservative commentators crying out about their rejection.

Unmarried women were a large demographic who didn’t vote for Republican candidates in the US midterms and Fox News commentator Jesse Watters decided that the problem lay not in right-wing policies but rather that young single women were too independent. 

“Once women get married, they vote Republican,” Watters said. “Single women and voters under 40 have been captured by Democrats.”

“We need these ladies to get married. It’s time to fall in line, and settle down. Guys, go and put a ring on it.”

Here in Australia, The Australian’s Nick Cater shared his view on “single young females” being the “biggest threat to parties on the right”. 

Cater said: “For Liberals in Australia the rise of single 20 and 30- somethings is one of the most disturbing trends to emerge from last year’s census.”

Scott Morrison’s speaking agency called him ‘the true definition of a leader’

Only five months after losing spectacularly in the federal election, ScoMo grasped to position himself as a “virtuous globalisation mastermind” and “the true definition of a leader”– descriptions posted by Worldwide Speakers Group, a speaking agency that Morrison signed with that charges up to $100,000 for speaking engagements.

In this article, we looked back at all the reasons why calling ScoMo “the true definition of a leader” is pretty ironic.

The conservative dating app that failed to attract women

Conservative dating app ‘The Right Stuff’ launched in the US and had a noticeable lack of female-users. A big problem considering the app only catered to a heterosexual audience.

Created “for conservatives to connect in authentic and meaningful ways”, frustrated male-users began leaving some pretty clueless reviews. 

One user complaint said: “These days, it’s hard to find a woman who values my patriotism. My faith. And so after being ghosted by every match on Tinder, I decided to give this app a try. But the weird thing was, I couldn’t find any women on it. I don’t know, maybe the app is bugged?”

Those #solidarywithsanna videos and images

The women of Finland backed their prime minister, Sanna Marin, by posting videos and memes of themselves dancing and having a good time on social media. 

And they did so in style, and with the hashtag #solidaritywithsanna

This came after Marin faced criticism for two private videos that were leaked showing her dancing and laughing with her friends. 

Miss Universe pageant removed rules banning married women and mums

Apparently, in its 70-year long history, the Miss Universe pageant didn’t allow mums or married women to participate. It was a rule we only learned about this year, when the pageant announced it would be lifting the ban to “evolve with the times” in 2023. Way to move with the times!

Spain launched an ‘All bodies are beach bodies’ campaign

Spain’s equality ministry launched a summer body positivity campaign titled “All bodies are beach bodies” to encourage more women to go to the beach no matter what their body looks like.

The campaign’s poster featured five diverse women of different shapes and sizes, and it was a photo that got us — and plenty of readers — talking.

Kshama Bindu married herself in India

At 24-years-old, Kshama Bindu did what no woman in India has done before. She married herself. 

It was reported to be the first example of “sologamy”– when a person marries themselves– in her country. 

Jane Goodall’s eco-friendly barbie doll 

Renowned ethologist and conservationist Dr Jane Goodall got a Barbie made in her likeness as part of Mattel’s Inspiring Women Series.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Barbie (@barbie)

Florence Pugh freed the female nipple

Actress Florence Pugh wore a gorgeously sheer pink dress to a Maison Valentino runway show in Italy and critics were concerned that her nipples were showing. 

Pugh wasn’t bothered, however, and clapped back, asking “What. Is. So. Terrifying” about the female nipple.  

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Florence Pugh (@florencepugh)

Menopause-simulating vests made male MPs feel hot and ‘volcanic’

Getting a taste of what it’s like to have menopause hot flushes, male MP’s in the UK wore menopause-simulating vests. It was part of a menopause awareness campaign to highlight the country’s lack of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) products. 

Female MP in the UK got accused of ‘distracting’ the PM by crossing her legs

A Conservative UK lawmaker accused Angela Rayner, the Labour Party Deputy Leader, of trying to ‘distract’ the former Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, when she sat across from him in the House of Commons during debates, crossing and uncrossing her legs.   

Katherine Deves’ cringey campaign video

In April, controversial Liberal candidate for Warringah Katherine Deves was featured in an unintentionally awkward campaign video with her supporters.

Deves is known for opposing the inclusion of transgender women in sport and has received much political backlash.

The bot exposing gender pay gaps of companies spruiking International Women’s Day 

Copywriter Francesca Lawson and her partner, Ali Fonsome, a software consultant, created the Gender Pay Gap Bot to expose just how big some of the gender pay gaps are at companies who used their social media to spruik their female employees and gender equality on International Women’s Day.

The account’s bio read,” Employers, if you tweet about International Women’s Day, I’ll retweet your gender pay gap.”

The all-male panel in an ‘endometriosis masterclass’ 

The European Endometriosis League promoted an ‘Endometriosis Masterclass’ that was led by seven male experts on endometriosis and no women.

Golf star Lydia Ko mentioned her period and left a male reporter speechless 

When asked by Golf Channel’s Jerry Foltz about the reason for her physiotherapy session during the final round of the Palos Verdes Championship this week, Lydia Ko answered candidly saying her back was really tight because it’s “that time of the month”.

Foltz appeared to not know how to follow-up her response, awkwardly responding, “thanks”.

The group of Boston mothers who screamed into the darkness

Twenty Boston mothers gathered outside a local high school at night to scream into the darkness and release their frustrations with the pandemic.

Therapist and leader of the group Sarah Harmon described it as “quite healing” and an opportunity to let out the “intense rage”. 

The Melbourne Club voted to prohibit female membership after 142 years

Melbourne Club’s president Michael Bartlett announced the results of a survey conducted of the club’s 1500 members, which apparently failed to support allowing female membership. 

This is “in keeping with the 142-year history and tradition of the club,” said Bartlett.

Perhaps they should check out how the Miss Universe pageant realised that it is possible to “evolve”.

The post The moments that had us talking (& laughing) this year appeared first on Women's Agenda.

Growing up in some of the world’s most vulnerable communities, these teenage girls are a group who are virtually invisible when it comes to overseas aid. At just 5 per cent of the current Australian aid budget the percentage of aid assigned for this sector has remained unchanged since 2016 and yet we know that the struggles faced by the girls of the world have only intensified.

They are the victims of gender-based violence exacerbated by the pandemic, they are being sold into child marriage for food as their families face starvation and famine and they are dealing with war on their doorstep or fleeing as refugees.

But we know that adolescent girls are such powerful agents of change. When they are allowed to thrive, they can lead climate movements like Kenyan climate crusader Vanessa Nakate or Swedish activist Greta Thunberg. They can frighten an entire regime like Malala Yousafzai has and they can call out discrimination wherever they see it like Australia’s formidable Yasmin Poole.

They have to be given the chance. A recent survey by Plan International Australia has shown that the Australian people are willing to give it to them with a significant 85 per cent of people saying that the government should increase efforts to support girls around the world.

There are more than half a billion adolescent girls aged 10-19 living in vulnerable communities around the world. Importantly, more than half of the global population of adolescent girls are in the Asia Pacific region.

Despite all of this, some areas of the aid budget have actually gone backwards.

In 2016 we spent $59.4 million on gender-based violence initiatives specifically targeting the needs of adolescent girls, but in 2020 this decreased to $43.65 million. 

As the CEO of Australia’s biggest charity for girls’ equality, I have witnessed first-hand the ways that adolescent girls are impacted disproportionately by all crises, from the pandemic to wars and displacement to the climate crisis. In recent times, the humanitarian sector has watched on horrified as the hard-won progress that has been made for teen girls’ rights in many places have been wound right back.

In Afghanistan, her hopes of completing secondary school have been stopped dead by the Taliban. She is now only allowed to leave the house if strictly necessary and accompanied by a male family member.

In Ukraine, she has been forced from her home and separated from her family by rocket fire and gunshots. Continuing her education is one thing helping her through the trauma.

In South Sudan, she is hungry, and the last in her family to eat when food is scarce. As the World Food Program is forced to shut down programs due to lack of funding, things are about to get much worse. Conflict rages all around her.

In Myanmar, military rule is curtailing her freedom, safety and access to food and education. Sexual and gender-based violence is being used as a weapon of war. She has no idea when it will end.

In Indonesia, she is once again fighting against her own child marriage, with rates rising for the first time in years due to the pandemic. She’s determined to continue her education.

In Tonga, she’s still recovering from the volcanic eruption in early 2022, which destroyed her community. The reality of climate change is upon her and she doesn’t know if her country will still exist into the future. She’s prepared to fight on the world stage for stronger climate action.

And right here in Australia, the mental health impacts of Covid lockdowns are compounded by the existential fear of our planet becoming unlivable due to climate change. She is using her activism to cope, raising her voice and leading the movement for stronger climate action at home and worldwide.

We know that investing in adolescent girls can – and will – change the world.

We know the power of young women – we see it every day working with Plan International Australia’s Youth Activist Series. In fact, so mighty is the adolescent girl that the UN has named her as the single most powerful group we should be investing in. According to UNFPA, unlocking the full potential of the 10-year-old girl could transform economies and make it possible to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals in full. With only eight years to go till the SDG deadline of 2030, there is an urgent need for the actions that will catalyse the most change and investing in girls is one of those.

Now is the time to support adolescent girls through Australia’s aid and development program, ensuring that they can live free from violence, get back into school, and thrive.

The post Just 5 per cent of Australia’s aid budget goes to adolescent girls appeared first on Women's Agenda.

It’s the famous advice that children’s TV host Fred Rogers’ mother shared with him as a boy that routinely goes viral in times of crises as we grasp for something – anything – comforting.

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of ‘disaster,’ I remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers—so many caring people in this world,” is how Fred Rogers explained it.  

In times of disaster looking for the helpers can offer hope and reassurance and comfort – to children and adults alike.

But the further the helpers are from power, the less influential they can be. When those in power are not just unequivocally not helping but are making things far worse it’s cold comfort.  

A definitive helper in the United States – who is gathering power with every passing day – right now is Atlanta’s mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, who CNN has described as ‘the face and the voice’ of the Democrats.

Of the Atlanta-born lawyer and judge who has been the mayor since 2018, CNN’s Chris Cillizza wrote:

“The mayor of Atlanta, has emerged more so than any other Democratic politician — including the party’s presumptive presidential nominee Joe Biden — as the sort of leader the party (and the country) needs amid ongoing protests and violence across the country following the murder of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, at the hands of Minneapolis police last week. When violence raged in Atlanta on Friday night, Bottoms delivered remarks that were breathtaking in their candour and ferocity.” 

She is the leader the US needs right now: an incredibly powerful force willing and able to offer strength and unity.

“I am a mother to four black children in America, one of whom is 18 years old,” Bottoms said on Friday night in response to reports protests in Atlanta had become violent. “And when I saw the murder of George Floyd, I hurt like a mother would hurt. And yesterday when I heard there were rumours about violent protests in Atlanta, I did what a mother would do, I called my son and I said, ‘Where are you?’ I said, ‘I cannot protect you, and black boys shouldn’t be out today.'”

“So, you’re not going to out-concern me and out-care about where we are in America,” Bottoms said. “I wear this each and every day, and I pray over my children, each and every day.”

But she was unequivocal that Floyd’s death would not be served by chaos.

“If you want change in America, go and register to vote. Show up at the polls on June 9. Do it in November. That is the change we need in this country. You are disgracing our city; you are disgracing the life of George Floyd and every other person who has been killed in this country. We are better than this. We’re better than this as a city. We are better than this as a country. Go home. Go home.

“This is not the legacy of civil rights in America. This is chaos and we’re buying into it. This won’t change anything. We’re no longer talking about the murder of an innocent man. We’re talking about how you’re burning police cars on the streets of Atlanta, Georgia. Go home.”

The New York Times published a blistering op-ed from Bottoms on Wednesday in which she urges Americans to use their vote to protest for a better future. The headline alone is devastating: “The Police Report to Me, but I Knew I Couldn’t Protect My Son.”

She describes calling her son frantically when news of the violent protests spread and begging him to come straight home.

“Although as mayor, the chief of police reports to me, in that moment, I knew what every other parent to a black child in America knows: I could not protect my son. To anyone who saw him, he was simply who he is, a black man-child in the promised land that we all know as America.”

Despite wanting a better solution than getting her son straight home because it wasn’t “safe for black boys to be out” Bottoms knew it was the safest option. Changing that is a gigantic task but it is one Bottoms refuses to believe is beyond Americans.

“We are better than the hatred and anger that consumes so many of us. We are better than this deplorable disease called racism that remains so rampant,” she wrote.

To say America is in a state of chaos right now is an understatement; it is terrifying and heartbreaking to watch.

We are not immune from the unrest or the deplorable disease of racism. Systemic racism is as rampant here in Australia as it is in the US. There is palpable, warranted anger among First Nations people right now at Australians having the audacity to wring their hands at police brutality in the US while overlooking the very same shame in our own backyard.

And, as Bottoms has so powerfully argued, we are better than this. We have to be. It is unconscionable.

Keisha Lance Bottoms had been touted as a potential Vice-President for Joe Biden even before the past six days have thrust her into the national spotlight. Frankly a shot at VP seems almost a travesty. Keisha Lance Bottoms deserves the presidential ticket.

The post Keisha Lance Bottoms, Atlanta’s mayor, is the leader America needs appeared first on Women's Agenda.

The 34-year-old Marin, currently Finland’s transport minister and whose party is the largest in a five-member governing coalition, will also become the world’s youngest serving prime minister when she takes office in the coming days.

34-year-old @MarinSanna becomes the 46th Prime Minister of Finland next week

She will be the
– youngest ever PM of Finland
– youngest currently sitting PM in the world
– youngest ever female PM in the world

https://t.co/vIWxsmMZQx pic.twitter.com/hotnEHXCK7

— Janne Riitakorpi (@JanneRiitakorpi) December 8, 2019

Marin, Finland’s third female head of state, will lead a five-party coalition with a government comprising women-led parties. It includes Katri Kulmuni, 32, Minister of Economic Affairs, Maria Ohisalo, 34, Minister of the Interior, Li Andersson, 32, Minister of Education and Anna-Maja Henriksson, 55, Minister of Justice.

Finland’s government is now led by these five party leaders. #newgeneration pic.twitter.com/vis0qB9tO8

— Tuomas Niskakangas (@TNiskakangas) December 8, 2019

Sanna Marin has been a member of Parliament since 2015 and became head of the city council of her industrial hometown of Tampere at the age of 27.

Sanna Marin (34) will become Finland’s next prime minister. I think there are more important aspects to politics than age and gender, but that shouldn’t distract from the quite historical fact that Finland’s government is now led by five women, four of whom are aged under 35 yrs. https://t.co/28ZkfAjLUb

— Ville Hupa (@VilleHupa) December 8, 2019

There is no doubt the face of government in Finland contrasts, starkly, with the face of most governments around the globe.

So incredibly fucking bored of looking at pictures that look like this https://t.co/vO5MSNLgqw

— Marina Hyde (@MarinaHyde) December 3, 2019

The post Sanna Marin, 34, to become Finland’s next Prime Minister appeared first on Women's Agenda.

The pair emerged from hospital looking much like any other couple in the throes of new parenthood– excited, proud and a touch bleary eyed. The tiny bundle in Ardern’s arms dozed peacefully, prompting her mum to joke she’d ironically been lulled to sleep by the awaiting media circus.

Despite officially being on maternity leave, Ardern graciously took the time to address the crowd assembled and reveal the name of her new daughter: Neve Te Aroha Ardern-Gayford. A name which she said they’d both liked and felt suited their daughter when they met her on Thursday.

‘Te Aroha’, the baby’s middle name however, was one the couple had “settled on quite early,” said Ardern, and the reason was simple.

“Te Aroha was our way of reflecting on the amount of love this baby’s been shown before she even arrived, and all of the names we were gifted along the way,” The PM expressed through visible emotion. “I thought, how do I reflect the generosity–particularly from all of the iwi who gifted us names–and Te Aroha seemed to me to be a way we could show that love and generosity.”

‘Aroha’ touchingly means ‘compassion’ in the country’s native dialect Māori, and the iwi referred to by Ardern are Māori tribes. Te Aroha is also a mountain/region in New Zealand’s North Island close to where members of Ardern’s family still live.

The decision to honour New Zealand’s first people in their baby’s name may seem small, but such a gesture holds huge symbolic meaning. It is also entirely consistent with Jacinda Ardern’s approach to leadership.

It is a place where New Zealand politicians and leaders have feared to venture.

But, Ardern took the opportunity in her stride– not just stopping to make an appearance, but to speak with and hear from the Ngāpuhi people for a total of five days, longer than any other Prime Minister before her.

Greeted by staunch Māori activist, Titewhai Harawira (the same woman who reduced former Labour leader, Helen Clark to tears with harsh words on Waitangi Day in 1998) Ardern was personally escorted on to treaty grounds and welcomed to speak.

Tribal elders also invited her to bury her placenta on the grounds, and presented her with a handwoven cot (wahakura) to cocoon and protect her expected baby.

Something has changed,” the New Zealand Herald reported on its front page.

“Protest was absent from Waitangi yesterday, and you don’t need to have a view on the rights or wrongs of the protests there, year after year, to recognise that history is alive and progressing,” the story went on.

Such a different vibe this Waitangi. It’s almost like all you need to do is listen and be respectful of historical grievance for ppl to feel reassured and not throw stuff at you. WHO COULD HAVE PREDICTED SUCH A THING?!

— Leonie Hayden (@sharkpatu) February 5, 2018

Indeed, this is the true impact Jacinda Ardern is having on her country; an example many Australian politicians would do well to observe.

In every aspect of her leadership Ardern makes a conscious and deliberate effort to bridge gaps both concretely and symbolically. Between men and women, rich and poor, New Zealand’s first people and those who came after.

The nod to Māori culture in her daughter’s name is the latest profound act.

The post Bridging gaps: Why Jacinda Ardern’s choice of baby name is so symbolic appeared first on Women's Agenda.

It amounts to a landslide on a sensitive and divisive subject in a deeply Catholic country. Ireland was once viewed as among the most conservative nations in the world with good cause: it only legalised divorce in 1995.

But it seems the people of Ireland are no longer so wedded to tradition and are instead inclined towards change.

In May of 2015 the Irish people voted to legalise same-sex marriage, the first time a popular vote delivered this change.

Now, in 2018 the people of Ireland have cast their votes overwhelmingly in favour of  overturning some of the world’s most restrictive abortion laws. As it stands in Ireland  women are prohibited from aborting pregnancies unless their lives are at risk — even in the cases of incest, rape, and fatal fetal abnormality.

1,429,981 for Yes. Together for Yes. Together for Change. Together for Tomorrow. #together4tomorrow pic.twitter.com/FXqxOOya1B

— Together for Yes (@Together4yes) May 26, 2018

The Irish Government plans legislate by the end of the year which will mean, for the first time in history, the women of Ireland will not have to travel to access abortions.

They will no longer need to import abortion pills illegally, without access to medical care or support.

The Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said the result represents a “once in a generation vote”.

“The people have spoken. They have said we need a modern constitution for a modern country,” he said. “What we’ve seen is the culmination of a quiet revolution that’s been taking place in Ireland over the past 20 years.”

He said Irish voters “trust and respect women to make the right choices and decisions about their own healthcare”: something that has not historically been afforded to women in Ireland.

Today, we made history. Retweet if you’re proud of our country. #RepealedTheEighth #RepealedThe8th pic.twitter.com/PSBvn3gsbf

— Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) May 26, 2018

Campaigners have been seeking to repeal the 8th Amendment for many many years. It was introduced after a 1983 referendum which means no-one under the age of 54 in Ireland had voted on this issue before.

It was thus rightly described as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the people of Ireland to have their say on women’s reproductive rights and the people were clear.

In nearly every age group, men and women, across social classes voted to change the constitution.

Ireland #RepealedThe8th & my mom made the front page of the New York Times with her choir Voices for Choice (ft songs including Don't Stop Repealing) <3 pic.twitter.com/KyUOisIsaE

— Sally Hayden (@sallyhayd) May 27, 2018

Women and men from all around the world travelled back to Ireland for the vote and the #HomeToVote hashtag is testament to the intent and collective desire for change.

It has been described as a showing of the internet at its absolute best: inspiring and kind and it’s hard to disagree.

Cost of flights from Hanoi to Dublin: 800 euro. Length of journey: 20 hours. Chance to #repealthe8th: PRICELESS. #hometovote #Together4Yes pic.twitter.com/oROnKcBXcF

— taika waititi's gf (@HoorayForNiamh) May 22, 2018

My 'drop of golden' son just landed in Cork airport. He is #hometovote and will be voting YES for his sister, YES his mum & YES for a better day for women and a kinder Ireland. Our family all #TogetherForYes #together2vote @CorkTogether4Y pic.twitter.com/fK9Dc7nCi6

— Colette Kelleher (@ColetteKelleher) May 24, 2018

Boarding a 13 hour flight from Buenos Aires to London. London to Dublin tomorrow. No one at airport knows what my repeal jumper means. No one here knows why I'm travelling. If this feels isolating for me, can't imagine how lonely it must be 4 her, travelling 2 the UK #HomeToVote

— Ciaran Gaffney (@gaffneyciaran) May 22, 2018

I'm coming #HomeToVote ! Will be traveling 5,169 miles from LA to Dublin and will be thinking of every Irish woman who has had to travel to access healthcare that should be available in their own country. Let's do this, Ireland! #repealthe8th #VoteYes pic.twitter.com/fZDxUIGrs9

— Lauryn Canny (@LaurynCanny) May 23, 2018

It is impossible to consider the result in Ireland without feeling moved and hopeful. The resounding victory is a reminder that history really is ripe for the making. It is a reminder that it’s possible for individual citizens to unite, to mobilise and to campaign to deliver change.

It has not been an easy road and it certainly hasn’t happened by accident. It is in no small part due to Together for Yes, a grassroots campaign group made up of over 70 organisations, groups and communities representing a diverse cross-section of Irish civil society.

Here it is, the final result. 66.4% Yes, 33.6% No. Ireland has #Repealedthe8th pic.twitter.com/UCT0pQXRLt

— Irish Political Maps (@IrishPolMaps) May 26, 2018

To say it is overdue for the women of Ireland to have autonomy over their own bodies and healthcare is a gross understatement. Too many women have paid far too high a price for not having this right.

“The wrenching pain of decades of mistreatment of Irish women cannot be unlived,” Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said.

It is true. The pain suffered by women in Ireland cannot be unlived or undone but because of the people of Ireland from 2018 on, this mistreatment is no longer inevitable. The women of Ireland are finally having their reproductive rights respected. Choice will now be delivered.

People power cannot be underestimated. Here in Australia that same people power is needed for the very same reason. We may not have Ireland’s history but the women of Australia still face too many hurdles in accessing abortions.

Never forget that women in Tasmania are being forced to travel to mainland in Australia 2018 right now for abortions – just like the women of Ireland – as a result of market failure and the failure of governments to act. https://t.co/ZhxpWlVijg

— 𝕤𝕒𝕞𝕒𝕟𝕥𝕙𝕒 𝕞𝕒𝕚𝕕𝕖𝕟 (@samanthamaiden) May 25, 2018

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