#Women4Yes

#Women4Yes

DigiWomen were delighted to  join the NWCI at the  ‘Women4Yes’ press conference today in the Royal College of Physicians with several other women groups who are calling for a YES vote in the upcoming Marriage Equality Referendum.

DigiWomen fully support the yes vote for marriage equality.  As DigiWomen we are focused on increasing visibility and participation of female makers and users of technology in the IT sector and that includes the LGBT community.

Irelands internet economy is expected to be worth €21.1 billion by 2020. That brings with it a vast amount of opportunities for innovative products and services to be developed for all types of communities. The tech sector needs a mix of people from all walks of life to understand what consumers want and meet their needs. DigiWomen believe that companies that embrace diversity can compete better, be more innovative and grab market share.

It was genuinely heartening and uplifting to attend the press conference “Women4Yes” this morning and hear the stories of why the groups were promoting the YES vote.

Love Actually

Sharon Halloran from Safe Ireland told how she is with her partner for 17 years and would like to right to marry her. She also wants it for her 81 year old mother who had 10 children of which 3 are gay and her mother wants them all to be equal. And that is why her mother is out every night campaigning for the YES vote. Sharon said that this vote is ultimately about LOVE actually.

Áine Feeney, representative of the Business and Professional Women’s Federation International stated,
“The Marriage Equality Referendum is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to end an injustice that impacts on the lives of so many people in Ireland and to provide the choice to marry to all women and men. Marriage equality does not in any way diminish existing marriages. It just ensures that all people in Ireland have the same right to marry the person they love, should they wish to do so.”

Ailbhe Smyth a long time activist and feminist spoke about how it feels to be finally at the stage where she could be seen as an equal in her own country. That is very powerful and I do hope that on May 22nd it becomes a reality.

Some of the other women groups present at the press conference also included:

• Marian Quinn, Association of Childcare Professionals
• Tracey Treanor, Irish Deaf Women’s Group
• Gbemisola Johnson, Niger Delta Women Coalition Ireland

DigiWomen are voting YES on 22nd March because we want to live in a more inclusive Ireland.