article: 1980s Ireland was no place for women

[Bythebanksof]

I remember it all so well. Hard to believe!!

www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/views/analysis/1980s-ireland-wasno-place-for-women-931480.html

I was there too. LC 1982, BA 1985.

I don't think it's all that different today tbh.

Yes, there is now legislation guaranteeing rights to many aspects of life that have been taken for granted in the west for decades.

But I don't think there is much shift in mentality, and the flood of porn threatens to take away all the gains for girls and women.

And you still get the outrageous news from rape trials such as the fact that the victim was wearing a thong.
What is so bloody difficult to understand about consent?
The concept is treated as a trap deliberately set by vicious women who know what they are doing to catch unfortunate men out.

I think we should remember that 1980s Ireland was just as self congratulatory about how women were treated as that article is about the treatment of women today.

Domestic violence is still rampant, and is dealt with by charities who must go cap in hand for funding.
Mental health services in schools are grossly underfunded.
Austerity hits women hard.

www.rte.ie/news/investigations-unit/2018/0222/942757-housing-crisis-impacts-families-fleeing-domestic-abuse/
This article shows the real state of affairs when it comes to women and rights.

And let's not forget the reporting on the Cavan murder case where the name of the murdered woman, Clodagh Hawe, was not initially mentioned. She was a wife, a mother, a sister, a daughter, nameless.

I was there too. The 1980s were an oppressive, conformist time.

The country is unrecognisably different now, mostly for the better. As far as women and girls are concerned, it's far from perfect - where is? -but it is better now in so many areas, from abortion rights to employment to political representation. Lots more to do though!