Westmeath campaigner joins president's call on gender equality

Mullingar woman and Herstory founder Melanie Lynch and Herstory board director Regina O’Connor joined President Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin yesterday, (Thursday June 23) at an event calling for a culture change in more actively engaging men in gender equality issues nationally and globally.

Speaking in the context of the UN’s ‘HeforShe’ campaign, President Higgins stressed how important he felt it was to use his office to convey a simple but vital message: that men must stand in solidarity with women if women’s rights are to be fully achieved.

As a global ambassador for the HeforShe campaign, he called on people to stand together as equal partners to craft a shared vision of a gender equal world, and to specifically undertake the challenge of engaging men and boys to promote gender equality, and to combat gender based violence.

The speech by President Higgins is here.

Melanie is a former student of Wilson’s Hospital School and founded the Herstory organisation in 2016. Since then it has made waves, championing women’s representation at the forefront of the Irish equality movement.

Earlier this year Herstory successfully spearheaded the campaign to make St Brigid’s Day Ireland’s new public holiday. In 2020, Herstory co-produced Herstory on RTÉ – the first comprehensive women’s storytelling platform on RTÉ – featuring a major documentary TV series, animation series, podcasts, school workshops and microsite.

Melanie says the President’s call to action puts a timely spotlight on issues that need greater attention: “A heartfelt thank-you to President Michael D Higgins for the invitation and for acknowledging the importance of #Herstory’s work and that of sister organisations who work tirelessly for gender equality, human rights, dignity, and respect.

“Together we enjoyed powerful speeches, wonderful music and inspiring conversations. The solidarity and sisterhood have renewed our spirits!

“It is an honour to be part of this equality movement. I’m proud of our spirited little country as we courageously heal our troubled past and look to the future knowing we can and will create an #IrelandofEquals.”

Speaking after the event, author, campaigner and former member of the Council of State, Ruairí McKiernan, praised Melanie for her leadership in the area of social change. “Melanie is part of a bright new generation of social leaders in our country and her work has been hugely impactful on many levels.

“It was great to see the president recognise her with this invitation to the Áras. Melanie’s work has helped everyone see the importance around embracing greater gender consciousness, to be aware of the great female figures in our history, and to honour women in direct provision, and those who suffered in Magdalene Laundries. We need more people like her and I wish her continued success.”