The Women's Podcast

To mark World Hijab Day on February 1st and in light of Donald Trump's targeting of immigrants from seven mainly Muslim countries, Sorcha Pollak talk to some Irish Muslim women about racism, the Hijab and misconceptions. And: what are you doing on International Women's Day? Can we interest you in a little strike action? Una Mullally and one of the organisers of Strike 4 Repeal, tell Kathy Sheridan why striking is a creative tool for activists fighting for reproductive rights.

Comedian Katherine Lynch talks to Róisín Ingle - standing in for Kathy Sheridan - about how her turn on RTE's Dancing With the Stars is giving her back her mojo. Lynch, who is also an actor and singer with her own TV production company, was initially reluctant to get involved with the reality show but has since discovered a new and surprising passion for dance. She spoke to Ingle about her stint on weight loss reality programme Operation Transformation, about fat-shaming and about how some women can feel more invisible in their forties. And she made a shameless Healy-Rae style appeal for your votes. So: Vote Katherine Lynch on Dancing With the Stars. (She made us do that).

Comedian Katherine Lynch talks to Róisín Ingle - standing in for Kathy Sheridan - about how her turn on RTE's Dancing With the Stars is giving her back her mojo. Lynch, who is also an actor and singer with her own TV production company, was initially reluctant to get involved with the reality show but has since discovered a new and surprising passion for dance. She spoke to Ingle about her stint on weight loss reality programme Operation Transformation, about fat-shaming and about how some women can feel more invisible in their forties. And she made a shameless Healy-Rae style appeal for your votes. So: Vote Katherine Lynch on Dancing With the Stars. (She made us do that).

This week the issue of sexual consent hit headlines again as Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald sought Cabinet approval to define sexual consent in Irish legislation for the first time. The changes proposed will make it clear that a person is incapable of consenting to a sexual act if they are asleep or unconscious, as a result of intoxication or if they are mistaken as to the identity of the other person. The idea is that it will provide more clarity for the legal system in sexual offences cases. Noeline Blackwell from the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre and journalist Tanya Sweeney talked to host Kathy Sheridan about the significance of the move and the background to it.

This week the issue of sexual consent hit headlines again as Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald sought Cabinet approval to define sexual consent in Irish legislation for the first time. The changes proposed will make it clear that a person is incapable of consenting to a sexual act if they are asleep or unconscious, as a result of intoxication or if they are mistaken as to the identity of the other person. The idea is that it will provide more clarity for the legal system in sexual offences cases. Noeline Blackwell from the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre and journalist Tanya Sweeney talked to host Kathy Sheridan about the significance of the move and the background to it.

This comes to you from Bundoran, Co Donegal and our live event at the Transatlantic Connections Conference. Kathy Sheridan hosted our lively conversation on the Borders & Barriers in the Lives of Women, which also covered Trump, race, class and gender issues. The panel included theHonorable Helen Shores Lee grew up during the racially turbulent years of the 1960’s in Birmingham, Alabama with all the violence and racial inequalities of that time. She was joined by Liverpool born writer, lecturer, historian and nationalist Christine Kinealy and from a British protestant background, Linda Ervine is a language rights activist from East Belfast, Northern Ireland, a supporter of both Ulster Scots and Gaelic. It was all harmoniously bookended by music from The Henry Girls.

This comes to you from Bundoran, Co Donegal and our live event at the Transatlantic Connections Conference. Kathy Sheridan hosted our lively conversation on the Borders & Barriers in the Lives of Women, which also covered Trump, race, class and gender issues. The panel included theHonorable Helen Shores Lee grew up during the racially turbulent years of the 1960’s in Birmingham, Alabama with all the violence and racial inequalities of that time. She was joined by Liverpool born writer, lecturer, historian and nationalist Christine Kinealy and from a British protestant background, Linda Ervine is a language rights activist from East Belfast, Northern Ireland, a supporter of both Ulster Scots and Gaelic. It was all harmoniously bookended by music from The Henry Girls.

We never believed the day would come, but as President Trump is finally inaugurated some of our contributors had a few things to get off their chests. In a series of open letters to Trump, women including Una Mullally, Laura Kennedy, Stefanie Preissner, Ailbhe Smyth and Kathleen Harris took part in our our Dear President Trump episode. There was anger (obviously) but also well wishes and hope that their very worst fears would not be confirmed. In solidarity with the Women's March on Washington, The Women's Podcast will be marching in Dublin on Saturday with thousands of others. The march sets off from the Garden of Remembrance at noon on Saturday 21st of January. See you there.

We never believed the day would come, but as President Trump is finally inaugurated some of our contributors had a few things to get off their chests. In a series of open letters to Trump, women including Una Mullally, Laura Kennedy, Stefanie Preissner, Ailbhe Smyth and Kathleen Harris took part in our our Dear President Trump episode. There was anger (obviously) but also well wishes and hope that their very worst fears would not be confirmed. In solidarity with the Women's March on Washington, The Women's Podcast will be marching in Dublin on Saturday with thousands of others. The march sets off from the Garden of Remembrance at noon on Saturday 21st of January. See you there.

In this episode we hear from two people about the abuse they faced and about how speaking out, although extremely difficult, changed the course of their lives and work: Lynn Rosenthal, who from 2009 to 2014 served as the first-ever White House Advisor on Violence Against Women and Colm O'Gorman who is now the director of Amnesty Ireland. They both spoke to the Safe Ireland Summit before Christmas and we are grateful to Sharon O'Halloran and Simone George of Safe Ireland for granting us access to their important gathering.