Over 70% of Fórsa members are women. On the eve of International Women’s Day we acknowledge the contributions of women activists in our union, as well as highlighting what we’re doing to improve the working lives of women in Ireland today.

International Women’s Day has trade unionism at its heart. In recent years it may have become a byword for celebration, but its origins in the early 20th century lie firmly with women trade unionists campaigning for better working conditions, pay and representation for women. 

Our recent campaigns for paid domestic violence leave and to stop the stigma around periods and menopause in the workplace came from members of our union, women who raised issues, and wrote motions, advocating to get these issues on the union’s agenda. In turn that allowed activists to work together on campaigns that ultimately led to real, lasting change for women in Ireland.

Fórsa activist Linda O’Sullivan brought the issue of domestic violence to the union’s biennial conference  in 2022. Linda said: “Knowing that the union had my back and cared about this issue made a huge difference. When you stand together you can achieve so much more. From that motion we began the journey to making paid domestic violence leave a legal reality. We won’t stop until DV leave is extended to 10 paid days.”  

Fórsa’s general election manifesto, launched last November, called for a number of key commitments to improve gender equality in the workplace. 

Policy officer Aisling Cusack said: “In the manifesto we called for a commitment to amend the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act and Employment Equality Act to protect employees affected by period or menopause-related symptoms in the workplace; as well as highlighting the need to ensure the implementation of free access to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to alleviate painful and uncomfortable symptoms of menopause.”

“We’re also calling for full implementation of the Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual & Gender-Based Violence 2022-2026. Public provision of affordable childcare that is accessible for all families is another priority.  Without it, Irish women’s participation in the workforce will continue to be one of the lowest in the European Union.”

ICTU vice president and Fórsa national secretary Katie Morgan said: “In addition to our work on gender issues there are many more campaigns and policies we are working on that would enhance everyone’s working lives, not least women. Measures like granting trade union reps a statutory right to facilitate union meetings during working hours at times that suit workers, and don't impact on family and caring responsibilities would make a huge difference. In turn this would increase gender balance in all unions, and workplaces. Our union's strength is our members, so this IWD, tell your female colleagues who aren't in the union that it's time they joined."

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