DAIC picket at Dail with the then illegal abortion information number

A detailed history of pro-choice struggles in Ireland from the 1980's to 2007 and the involvement of Irish anarchist in those struggles. Includes the 1983 referendum (and those in 1986, 1992 & 1995) as well as the X-Case, the D-case and the Women on Waves ship. Written by a participant in almost all (if not all) of the events described.

Despite the collaboration between the British Government and the DUP preventing the extension of the 1967 Abortion Act to the north the struggle for women's right to choose continues…..

Leading up to the Westminster vote, the Alliance for Choice campaign was active across the north organising public meetings, street stalls, a pub quiz and symbolic events such as the '40 women a week' protest outside Belfast city hall with an aim to highlight the fact that politicians here are exporting the 'problem' as over 40 women every week are forced to travel to other parts of the UK to carry out an abortion.

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On Monday 3rd March in Dublin, the Revolutionary Anarchist-Feminist Group are hosting an open talk discussing why there aren't more female political activists. It takes place in St. Nicholas of Myras, Francis Street, Dublin 8 at 7.30pm.

On the 6th March Dari Jeyran, an Iranian women’s and political rights activist recently arrived from Iran will speak in Dublin. Dari, who is opposed to any war or sanctions on Iran, has been at the forefront of providing information about what is happening in Iran out to activists abroad. She has been involved in the struggles against the government there. She has also been involved in solidarity work with trade unionists and students and campaigned for prisoner’s rights.

HOPI and Parents Alone Support Service are holding 3 public meetings on Thursday 6th March at the following venues. See the event notice for details of her talks.

On the 8th of March itself, Choice Ireland, along with other feminists are hosting a feminist walking tour of Dublin. In their own words: "the tour will be an informative and entertaining take on women's history in Ireland - from the Brehon Laws, through women's role in the early formation of the state, labour movements, the resurgence of feminism in the 1970's, the movement against domestic/sexual violence, and the continuing struggle for reproductive rights.

Meet up at the entrance to St. Stephen's Green, opposite the shopping centre at 2.30pm. For more information email feministwalkingtour at yahoo dot ie.

In Belfast, Just Books are screening a documentary about Ethel MacDonald, a Scottish anarchist who was active during the Spanish Revolution. You can see it at the Belfast Unemployed Centre, 45/47 Donegall Street on Saturday 8th March at 7.30pm.

On Tuesday 11th March, Cork WSM will host a an open meeting to mark International Women’s Day. The meeting topic is "An Anarchist View Of Women's Oppression”. There will be a lead-off talk followed by an open discussion. All are very welcome. The meeting will begin at 8 pm and the venue is CAZ, 61 Barrack Street, Cork.

It is quite common these days to hear criticisms of “mainstream” or “middle-class” feminism from anarchists or others on the revolutionary, and even the not-so-revolutionary, left. In particular, anarchists are often quick to criticise any feminist analysis that lacks a class analysis.

This article argues that feminism in its own right is worth fighting for and that when it comes to ending sexism an insistence on always emphasising class can end up merely distracting from the fact that as anarchists we need to be unambiguous when it comes to supporting feminism. Rather than distancing ourselves from other feminists or seeking always to qualify our support, our emphasis should shift to developing and promoting our own brand of anarchist feminism.

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How different are men and women? Very, according to some. John Gray’s book “Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus” is based on the idea that there are fundamental differences between the genders. It may be just another self-help book on relationships, but it has also sold over 30 million copies and been translated into 40 languages.