Is it possible to go online today and avoid misinformation? What about the work involved in writing about global issues such as FGM – in Ireland and elsewhere – and testing the interest of readers to know about them and take action?
In this episode, Ciara Regan caught up with award winning journalist and feminist Órla Ryan of TheJournal.ie, who believes “it’s through education and awareness that things can change.”
Órla talks about what it was like meeting former circumcisers involved in female genital mutilation, the power of her platform working in a newsroom, her views on the term ‘fake news’ and shares tips for young people (particularly women) interested in exploring roles in journalism.
Órla’s work has been acknowledged through her commitment to highlighting humanitarian issues and social injustices happening in Ireland or abroad in the Irish Red Cross Journalism Excellence Award and the Justice Media Award. More recently, Órla is the creator and presenter of the 6-part documentary podcast series Redacted Lives which explores mother and baby homes in Ireland and tells the stories of people who passed through the system (released on November 10th 2022).
Available on
As part of this episode:
- Take a look at Órla’s notebook and photographs object page on Female Genital Mutilation and women’s rights in Kenya – a journalist’s notebook from the exhibition.
- Read Órla’s reflections shared at the launch of the Irish Global Solidarity in 100 Objects in 2020 exhibition
- Explore updates by the FactCheck unit at TheJournal.ie, which is also a participating member in The CoronaVirusFacts/DatosCoronaVirus Alliance Database of fact check units from around the world.
- Catch-up on ActionAid’s work on FGM, mentioned during the interview.
Explore Órla Ryan’s three-part series on FGM and women’s rights in Kenya on TheJournal.ie:
- Part 1: ‘I used to cut the girls, sometimes I would cut the wrong part and they would bleed terribly’, July 21st 2019
- Part 2: ‘I’ll give you a goat and then you can forget about the rape’, July 22nd 2019
- Part 3: ‘Girls are forced to have sex in exchange for sanitary pads or 50 cents’, July 23rd 2019.
Twitter: @OrlaRyan @RedcatedLives
- Check out more episodes in the series or subscribe.
- Adapt, use, remix the 10 kick-starter activities based on the exhibition
With thanks to Órla Ryan for joining us for this episode, which was recorded remotely under lockdown during the Covid-19 pandemic. For more, check out Órla’s work on TheJournal.ie
The Irish Global Solidarity in 100 Objects podcast is hosted by Ciara Regan.
This episode was produced by Dylan Creane and Tony Daly.
Music by Jump Lead
- Brought to you by developmenteducation.ie and supported by Irish Aid
Explore the posters, games, badges, books and more from the Irish Global Solidarity in 100 Objects exhibition online.