Speaking Up for Women—and about Poverty—at Stormont
A Little Background About Me
I suppose it’s best to start with a bit of background to set the scene. I’m Dervla, mum to three, carer of one, student, activist, staunch supporter of women, and caffeine fiend. I volunteer in the Armagh Outreach Team, where we fight against poverty and deprivation in Armagh by providing hot food on a weekly basis and offering a signposting service for those in need.
The Unexpected Invitation to Stormont
So, when I was approached to take part in an event at Stormont on behalf of Women’s Spaces due to my work and activism, I immediately thought no. This is so far out of my comfort zone—talking professionally to a crowd of people—that I was reluctant to even think about it. Then I thought, I trust Charmain and I would hear her out.
Louise Clarke, the Engagement and Outreach Manager at the Northern Ireland Assembly in Stormont, was organizing an event for Good Relations Week, the theme of which was ‘OpportUNITY,’ and she wanted a collective of voices discussing challenges such as racism, gender inequality, poverty, etc. The event was to be a Living Library, something that tweaked my curiosity. The premise of a Living Library is where people become a “book,” and others come to listen to your story. In this case, the listeners were to be MLAs and assembly managers and staff.
It sounded like something I would want to attend myself, and the thought of being able to raise awareness of local poverty and how women are affected by poverty was a chance I should take, so I took a leap.
Meeting My Fellow Speakers: Powerful Stories from Inspiring Women
When the day arrived, there were four of us scheduled to take part, and when I met the others, I immediately wanted to sit and listen to their stories. There was S.T. talking on behalf of Barnardos on the lived experience of an Afghan woman living in Northern Ireland. Deborah McAllister from Carers NI was there to discuss the struggles of unpaid carers. Deborah Anderson from ADHD Hub was discussing the journey after an ADHD/mental health diagnosis. I felt myself in good company, I love to listen to women’s stories and hear their voices, and so I began to relax.
Nerves and Realizing What I Was Really Doing
The room was set up with roundtables, and Louise kicked off the event with a short introduction and run-through of the proceedings. There would be ten minutes for each of us to talk about why we were there, followed by five minutes for questions, then a bell would ring, and the MLAs and staff would swap tables.
The panic I felt when I realized I would have to talk for ten minutes each time, without breaks, and I couldn’t swear. Those who know me, know that unfortunately this could potentially be a challenge…
Finding My Confidence and Speaking My Truth
I needn’t have worried, as I found once I started talking, I couldn’t stop. The passion I have for raising awareness of poverty, and in particular how women are adversely affected by poverty and economic inequality here in Northern Ireland, the cruel effect of the two-child benefit cap, the pressure for feeding families more likely to fall on her shoulders, etc. The first ten minutes were up before I realized.
The questions section was helpful to break any misconceptions held by MLAs. It was rinse and repeat for the next sections, with my confidence growing each time. Then suddenly, we were done. Breathe and relax.
Turning Reflection into Action
We had a light lunch, and I took my newly gained confidence and asked for the leftovers to be boxed up instead of binned. On my way back to the bus, I was able to distribute to rough sleepers on the street. I had a moment to reflect on my feelings on the journey home.
Taking the Leap: A Call to Action
I was glad that I had taken the chance to take the leap and take part, and that some of my points of awareness may give others a change of heart on people who live under certain circumstances. I would encourage others to step forward for events that push you and challenge you – you may be surprised!
