R A G E

R A G E Sarah Jayne Booth, Eve Olney, Fiona Ni Leime & Honor Tuohy are r. a. g. e.

realising•absolute•gender•equality integrates activist, artistic, legal and feminist ethnographic methodologies in addressing patriarchal social structures, inequality and injustices towards women and marginalised individuals and social groups. realising•absolute•gender•equality a feminist collective that integrates activist, artistic, legal and feminist ethnographic methodologies in addressing pa

triarchal social structures, inequality and injustices towards women and marginalised individuals and social groups. Through an experimental and multidisciplinary praxis we generate creative ways of revealing these biases whilst actively working towards initiating new processes within institutional and organisational social practices that can enable empowerment, autonomy and social solidarity. Areas of work include workshop facilitation, consultation, artistic interventions and creative collaborative community projects. Current projects include: Theatrical performance and exhibition in collaboration with OSS Domestic Violence Centre and Cuanlee refuge Cork. We produce a quarterly zine that includes a space for public critical response and reflection. The zine is understood within the historical context of zines having been an affordable method of disseminating the voice of the counter-culture, particularly by feminist movements such as the suffragettes, workers unions and political groups.

01/05/2026

“They never told me I needed a PPS number to access […] health-related services like abortion or contraception for free.”

Today, alongside the launch of our new research on women’s experiences of Ireland’s Free Contraception Scheme, An Investigation into Women's Experiences of the Free Contraception Scheme, this op-ed from NWC’s Head of Policy, Doireann Crosson in today’s Irish Examiner highlights the reality: free does not always mean accessible.

While the scheme has been transformative, reaching over 200,000 women, our research shows that 31% of women surveyed still face barriers to accessing it — from age limits and migration status, to difficulties accessing GPs and a lack of clear, accessible information.

Too many women are still being left behind. Access to contraception is a fundamental right and should be available to everyone who needs it.

📰 Read the op-ed here: https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/commentanalysis/arid-41831111.html

📊 Read our full research report to hear about what women across Ireland experience and the changes they are calling for:https://www.nwci.ie/learn/publication/an_investigation_into_womens_experiences_of_the_free_contraception_sch

30/04/2026

Cork Traveller Women’s Network is sending a message of solidarity and support for Senator Eileen Flynn. Eileen Ní Fhloinn

Eileen has a longstanding record of working for Traveller rights and for human rights for all, first as a community activist and also in her work as a senator. Eileen made history in 2020 as the first Traveller Senator, appointed by the Taoiseach at the time and then again in 2025 when she was elected by the people of Ireland as Senator. Eileen has earned her place in politics and Cork Traveller Women’s Network is very proud of her work and achievements.

Women in politics face significant barriers and abuse and Traveller women also face racism. These barriers have played out over the past week with Eileen being subjected to a torrent of misogynistic and racist abuse because of taking a brave stand against racism.

We are very concerned about the recent online personal attacks and racist slurs against Eileen Flynn as a Traveller woman and these have no place in the Ireland we want to see.

28/04/2026

The introduction of a free travel scheme for survivors of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence will be a lifeline for many and is an extremely welcome initiative.

This scheme will help those experiencing poverty as a result of their abuse and also give survivors an extra sense of security.

Women’s Aid CEO, Sarah Benson says: “This is an extremely welcome initiative and one that will be very helpful to survivors and the services that support them. We know that many survivors experience poverty as a result of the abuse they are subjected to, and we also know that economic abuse, including restricting access to money and bank accounts is part of domestic abuse and coercive control. The financial aspect is important but free transport can also provide safety and dignity. It can help with some of the stress of attending court or therapeutic services. Women often have to move away from their community, so getting to schools and GP appointments is an extra burden.”

Women’s Aid also welcomes the fact that this scheme will be made available to all victims of gender-based violence, including sexual abuse and trafficking.

Ms Benson added: “The free travel scheme will also be of benefit to services all over the country who are currently spending thousands of euro providing travel cards or other forms of transport to women who are accessing their services or living in refuges. It is very welcome that women will be able to access this scheme through the services with which they are already connected.”

26/04/2026
18/04/2026

“There was a time when I truly believed it was all my fault.

At the beginning, he was everything. Confident, funny and the loudest, probably the most charming person, in every room. He told me I was different and that he had never felt this way before. I felt special.

I was just 17 years old, and he was my first boyfriend, so I had no idea that love wasn’t supposed to feel like walking on eggshells all the time.

I thought the jealousy just meant he really loved me. And I thought all his ‘rules’ were normal relationship stuff. I thought if I just tried harder, things would change.

When I began to realise what was happening and started to challenge him, he got even more sinister and unpredictable. He would tell me no one would ever believe me. That if I tried to leave, he’d ruin my life. Sometimes he would hurt himself and say he’d tell everyone I did it. I remember thinking, maybe this really is my fault.

One night, after an argument, he smashed a water glass. He punched me. There was glass everywhere. My hands were shaking. That was the first night of physical violence. I remember staring at the blood and thinking, how did my life become this?

But to be honest, the control and jealousy were just as damaging. Another time he locked me in a tiny wardrobe. I couldn’t stand up. I remember the smell of the clothes, the dark, the panic rising in my chest. He kept saying, “You’re not leaving. You’re mine.”

After a while, I stopped crying. I stopped fighting. I just went numb. I had no more tears left to cry.

I had heard a Women’s Aid interview on the radio. I could have been listening to my own life. I went on to Women’s Aid’s Too Into You website and took the relationship quiz. A few days later, I got the courage to call their Helpline – but my voice was barely there. I was sure I wouldn’t be believed.

But I was believed – and that meant everything. The lovely woman on the phone just listened and understood, and gave me hope. After that, everything changed.

- Beth, a domestic abuse survivor.

If you're worried about your relationship, you can call the Women's Aid 24hr National Freephone Helpline at 1800 341 900.

17/04/2026

And still, Israel refuses to allow international journalists into Gaza

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