UCD Labour criticise lack of Women's week

Issued : Tuesday 12 April, 2005 by UCD

UCD Labour Youth has strongly criticised the lack of a Women's Week to promote issues of gender inequality and women's issues on campus this year. The criticism comes in the wake of further controversy around sexist postering and the continuing dearth of involvement by female students in college activities, particularly the Students' Union (SU).

The work of the previous two SU Women's Officers in highlighting these issues has brought to the fore the concept of a progressive, student-friendly campus where all forms of sexism are unwelcome. The current SU Women's Officer, however, has done nothing to fulfil any aspect of her role since her election in early December.

The Constitutional role of the SU Women's Officer is given as (i) assisting the "Welfare Officer with campaigning and lobbying on women's issues," (ii) co-ordinating the "widespread availability of security alarms to students on campus," and (iii) co-ordinating "a fundraising event for a women's charity in the Michaelmas term." There has been no action on any of these fronts; of particular concern is the lack of any fundraising event or campaign on issues of women's health, as in previous years.

"The Labour Party and Labour movement have always stood against conservatism and its role in holding firm the deep roots of sexism in society," says Enda Duffy, the newly-elected Chair of the UCD Branch. "The downright refusal of the SU Women's Officer to run any events or campaigns to promote women's rights shows that this kind of conservative and regressive agenda remains at the heart of so many in this college."

Jane Horgan-Jones, UCD Labour Committee Member, said that "although successful events and campaigns have been run by the part-time officers in the SU and other groups to highlight issues of LGBTQ, disability and international students' rights, nothing has been done for women's rights."

"There remains gross gender inequality at the heart of the college environment. At the very least, one event or campaign to coincide with International Women's Day on March 8th would have put down a marker for women's rights."

"It is heartening to see three female candidates in this year's Executive elections;" said Horgan-Jones, "hopefully, next year's Women's Officer can bring about real change in the Union and in the college."

The Pat Upton/UCD Branch of the Labour Party comprises over 100 members in University College, Dublin. For further information, please contact Enda Duffy, Branch Chair at ucdlabour AT hotmail.com