Celebrating Irish Women Shaping Human Rights and Social Justice
International Women’s Day 2025 is a time to reflect on the remarkable contributions of women in the fight for human rights and social justice.
From grassroots activism to global advocacy, Irish women in activism and advocacy have made a lasting impact by challenging inequality, injustice, and oppression both at home and abroad.
In awe of all Mná, this is not an exhaustive list, but a celebration of just some of the women whose courage and commitment to human rights and social justice continue to inspire.
Bernadette Devlin McAliskey:
An Icon of Irish Women in Activism and Advocacy
“To gain that which is worth having, it may be necessary to lose everything else.”
Bernadette Devlin McAliskey has been a fearless advocate for civil rights, socialism, and working-class empowerment.
A key leader in the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Movement, she became the youngest woman elected to Westminster at just 21. She played a pivotal role in the Battle of the Bogside, a defining moment in Northern Ireland’s conflict, and was later jailed for her involvement.
Bernadette received the key to New York City in 1969 in recognition of her role as a leader in Northern Ireland’s civil rights struggle. She immediately handed it over to the Black Panther Party, explaining, “My people—the people who knew about oppression, discrimination, prejudice, poverty and the frustration and despair that they produce—were not Irish Americans. They were black, Puerto Ricans, Chicanos.”
Despite an assassination attempt in 1981, she remained undeterred, continuing her work through the South Tyrone Empowerment Programme (STEP) to support migrant workers, single parents, and marginalised communities.
Beth Doherty:
From School Strikes to Global Climate Advocacy
“Climate leadership requires us to put the interests of the people over the financial interests of the fossil fuel industry.”
Beth Doherty became prominent in Ireland’s youth climate movement through her leadership in organising school climate strikes beginning in 2019. She has addressed the Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action, advised policymakers, and collaborated closely with Dublin City Council on climate strategy development, significantly contributing to Dublin’s climate plan.
Serving as Ireland’s Climate Youth Delegate from 2024-25, Beth represented Ireland at COP29, where she advocated for urgent environmental action, sustainable policies, and stronger international climate commitments.
Currently studying law at Cambridge, she is conducting academic research focused on Arctic conservation and developing the necessary legal frameworks to protect vulnerable ecosystems.
Beth’s activism is featured in the RTÉ documentary Growing Up at the End of the World.
Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh:
Championing Human Rights in International Law
“This is the first genocide in history where its victims are broadcasting their own destruction in real time.”
Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh, an Irish barrister, has significantly advanced the role of human rights within international law. She represented South Africa in its landmark genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, using legal frameworks to address systemic oppression. Additionally, she provided legal representation for Croatia in its genocide case against Serbia at the ICJ.
Blinne is also renowned for her defense of protest rights, achieving high-profile acquittals, including the “Colston Four” activists who toppled a statue of a slave trader in Bristol.
She was shortlisted in 2022 for Barrister of the Year by The Lawyer Awards in recognition of her influential work advocating for justice, democratic freedoms, and human rights.
In 2024, she was honoured with the International Woman of the Year award at the Irish Tatler Women of the Year Awards, dedicating it to the “wonderful women of Gaza.” In her acceptance speech, she expressed solidarity with Palestinian women, recognising their resilience and hardship.
Margaretta D’Arcy:
A Fearless Voice in Irish Anti-War and Civil Rights Activism
“My passion is I am against war. I think it’s a waste of time and causes misery.”
Margaretta D’Arcy has spent decades resisting war, censorship, and state complicity. From Greenham Common to protests against the US military’s use of Shannon Airport, she has used direct action to expose militarisation and state oppression.
In 2014, she was jailed at the age of 79 for refusing to stay out of restricted airport property, reigniting debates on Ireland’s neutrality and civil liberties.
She has also been a leading voice in feminist radio (notably with Galway’s Women’s Pirate Radio) and theatre, using her voice to protest militarisation, surveillance, and political repression.
Caoimhe Butterly:
A Lifelong Advocate for Refugee and Humanitarian Justice
“I’ve always felt the need to almost a painful degree of needing to stand up against injustices in whatever contexts they lie”
For over two decades, Caoimhe Butterly has worked with displaced communities across Palestine, Iraq, Lebanon, and Europe. She has provided frontline support, directed award-winning documentaries on migration, and challenged state violence.
Having been shot while shielding Palestinian children from Israeli gunfire in 2002, she remains an unwavering advocate for human rights and refugee protection. Her film The Border documents the lives of over 12,000 migrants stranded at the Idomeni border, capturing the resilience of those forced to flee their homes.
Ailbhe Smyth:
Promoting Gender Equality, Reproductive Justice, and LGBTQ+ Rights
“It’s more important than ever in my lifetime for us to keep faith with our belief, our knowledge, that achieving an equal, just, sustainable and humane world is essential and possible.”
Ailbhe Smyth has played a pivotal role in shaping Ireland’s feminist and LGBTQ+ movements, dedicating decades to activism on women’s rights, reproductive justice, and social equality.
As a co-founder and co-director of Together for Yes, she was instrumental in the successful repeal of the Eighth Amendment in 2018, securing abortion rights in Ireland. She was also a founding member of the Coalition to Repeal the Eighth Amendment, which laid the groundwork for this historic victory.
Additionally, she was a key member of the Yes Equality campaign, which led to the legalisation of same-sex marriage in 2015 through Ireland’s landmark referendum.
Alongside her work on reproductive and LGBTQ+ rights, she has been a leading advocate for gender justice, social inclusion, and climate action, serving as the chair of the National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI).
Monica McWilliams:
Fighting for Women’s Representation in Peace Negotiations
“The first question I think we need to ask when we talk peace is, who’s at the table? Who’s talking peace? How inclusive is it?”
Monica McWilliams co-founded the Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition, ensuring women’s voices were represented in peace negotiations and playing a critical role in embedding gender equality and human rights protections into the Good Friday Agreement.
A leading advocate against domestic violence, she co-authored ground-breaking research on intimate partner violence in Northern Ireland and helped establish key support services for survivors.
Monica continues her influential advocacy in peacebuilding, gender equality, and conflict resolution, working internationally to support women in post-conflict societies such as Colombia, Syria, and Afghanistan, where she shares lessons from the Northern Ireland peace process.
As a vocal advocate for UN Security Council Resolution 1325, she advises on its implementation to ensure women’s participation in peace negotiations and post-conflict rebuilding efforts worldwide.
Emer O’Neill:
Transforming the Conversation on Racism and Diversity
“Racism is here in Ireland on our doorsteps and it’s happening around you every day and you’re probably not even aware of it.”
Emer O’Neill draws on her lived experience and professional background to foster meaningful conversations and advocate for positive change. Emer founded Bray for Love, an anti-racism initiative dedicated to creating a positive a welcoming and inclusive community Bray. Additionally, as an ambassador for the Olympic Federation of Ireland’s Don’t Scroll By campaign, she raises awareness of online hate speech.
A passionate advocate for diversity, she has long worked to highlight the lack of representation in the media, state jobs, leadership roles, the education system in Ireland. Speaking candidly about the abuse she has received as a result of standing up to racism, she remains committed to advocating for herself and for others.
Despite facing personal attacks, Emer continues her work in human rights, earning recognition at the Black and Irish Awards. Through education, activism, and public speaking, she remains a driving voice for change, inspiring a more inclusive and accepting Ireland.
Sr. Majella McCarron:
An Advocate for Environmental Justice from Ogoniland to Ireland
“I have been given the freedom to do something worthwhile and that is a great gift.”
Sr. Majella McCarron dedicated her life to environmental justice and defending marginalised communities from corporate exploitation, working both in Ireland and internationally to challenge environmental destruction and human rights abuses.
She played a crucial role in the Ogoniland struggle in Nigeria, working alongside Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) to resist Shell’s oil extraction. She preserved critical correspondence from Saro-Wiwa, which later became an important historical archive of resistance.
In Ireland, she was a leading voice in campaigns against fracking, mining, and corporate land exploitation, particularly in Fermanagh, where she opposed fracking projects that threatened local communities. Her work highlighted the connections between environmental and human rights issues, a theme reflected in a poem by Ken Saro-Wiwa, dedicated to Majella, where he wrote:
“What is it, I often ask, unites
County Fermanagh and Ogoni?
Ah, well, it must be the agony
The hunger for justice and peace
Which married our memories
To a journey of faith…”
Mary Manning:
An Irish Woman Activist Who Took a Stand Against Apartheid
“You have to imagine South Africa as a pint of Guinness – the vast majority of it is black and a tiny minority is white – and just like a freshly poured pint, the white sits firmly on top of the black.”
Mary Manning’s courageous refusal to sell South African goods at Dunnes Stores in Dublin in 1984 sparked a historic anti-apartheid strike lasting nearly three years. Her stand against apartheid not only influenced Ireland’s trade policies, leading to a national ban on South African imports in 1987, but also drew global attention to the power of economic resistance as a human rights tool.
Mary received international recognition and support from prominent figures, including Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Her memoir, Striking Back: The Untold Story of an Anti-Apartheid Striker, details her personal experiences during the strike and explores the collective power of solidarity and activism. A street in Johannesburg is named in her honour, recognising her contribution to the anti-apartheid movement.
Laura Brennan:
A Public Health Advocate for Women’s Rights and Cancer Awareness
“If I can prevent just one person from going through what I’m going through, then it will all be worth it.”
Diagnosed with cervical cancer at 24, Laura Brennan passionately dedicated her final years to raising awareness about the HPV vaccine.
At a time when misinformation led to declining vaccination rates in Ireland, her advocacy significantly reversed this trend, boosting uptake to 70%. Brennan also collaborated internationally, addressing the World Health Organisation and driving global awareness.
Today, her legacy endures through the Laura Brennan HPV Catch-Up Programme, ensuring young people remain protected and continuing her mission to safeguard public health. Her story was featured in the documentary Laura Brennan: This Is Me, highlighting her advocacy and lasting impact.
Rosita Sweetman:
A Voice for Women’s Liberation and Bodily Autonomy
“Feminism isn’t about hating men. It’s about demanding a world that doesn’t depend on women’s silence and sacrifice.”
Rosita Sweetman has been at the forefront of feminist activism in Ireland, dedicating her life to fighting systemic inequalities faced by women.
As a founding member of the Irish Women’s Liberation Movement (IWLM) in 1970, Rosita co-authored the influential manifesto Chains or Change, which exposed discrimination against Irish women, calling for equal pay, education, employment opportunities, and reproductive rights.
In 1971, she participated in the iconic “Contraceptive Train” protest, openly defying laws by traveling to Belfast to purchase contraceptives banned in Ireland, bringing national attention to women’s rights and bodily autonomy. Through journalism and advocacy, she has consistently highlighted silenced issues, including reproductive freedom and gender equality.
Mary Lawlor:
Protecting Human Rights Defenders
“There will always be people like you, who seek to fight injustice and inequality with madness and a little bit of hope. And the magical thing about hope is that no state can ever defeat it.”
Mary Lawlor has devoted her life to championing human rights defenders around the world. In 2001, she founded Front Line Defenders, creating a vital support network offering security and legal aid to activists facing persecution.
Previously, as Director of Amnesty International Ireland (1988–2000), she significantly shaped Ireland’s approach to human rights advocacy. Under her leadership, Front Line Defenders grew into a powerful global voice, standing alongside those who risk their lives confronting injustice.
In 2020, Mary was appointed UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, further amplifying her advocacy on the international stage. She has consistently drawn attention to the increasing threats faced by activists, especially in conflict areas like the Democratic Republic of Congo. Her dedication has earned widespread recognition, including France’s prestigious Légion d’Honneur and an honorary doctorate from Trinity College Dublin.
Kathleen Lynch:
Advancing Equality in Irish Education and Social Justice
“We all come from a way of thinking about the world which is not necessarily objective”
Professor Kathleen Lynch has been a leading voice in advancing equality in education, founding the Equality Studies Centre at University College Dublin in 1990 and later establishing the UCD School of Social Justice in 2005. Her research has exposed structural inequalities in education, co-authoring Equality and Power in Schools, a key study on systemic barriers.
She has also broadened the conversation on social justice with Affective Equality, highlighting the role of care and emotional labour in shaping inequality. Beyond academia, Kathleen has contributed to national policy, including the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities, and has advised internationally on equality frameworks.
Through research and advocacy, she has helped place equality at the centre of education and policy discussions. Her work continues to influence how inequality is understood and addressed, ensuring that issues of justice and fairness remain a priority.
Sinéad Burke:
A Global Advocate for Disability Rights and Inclusive Design
“I have been in rooms with some of the most powerful people in the world. My role is to make sure they leave that room thinking about accessibility.”
Sinéad Burke is a leading advocate for accessibility, inclusion, and representation, working at the intersection of disability rights, design, and fashion. She first gained recognition through her blog Minnie Mélange, where she challenged the fashion industry’s exclusion of disabled individuals. Her advocacy quickly gained momentum, leading to global recognition.
She has spoken at the World Economic Forum and delivered the TED Talk Why Design Should Include Everyone, pushing industries to embed accessibility as a fundamental principle. Sinéad has also collaborated with luxury brands like Gucci, Burberry, and Ralph Lauren to promote inclusive design.
In 2020, she founded Tilting the Lens, a consultancy that works with companies like Netflix, Pinterest, and Starbucks to integrate accessibility into corporate culture. As a British Vogue contributing editor, she uses her platform to amplify diverse voices and drive conversations on lasting inclusivity.
Eileen Flynn:
Breaking Barriers for Minority Rights and Inclusion in Ireland
“You don’t blow out someone else’s candle and think yours is going to burn any brighter – it’s about giving marginalised communities a hand up, not a handout.”
Eileen Flynn has made history as a trailblazing activist and advocate for equality, social justice, and the rights of marginalised communities. In June 2020, she became the first Traveller person to serve in the Oireachtas upon her nomination to Seanad Éireann. In January 2025, she further cemented her role by becoming the first Traveller person elected to the Seanad, representing the Administrative Panel.
Eileen works to address systemic discrimination, improve mental health services, tackle unemployment within the Traveller community She has been a vocal advocate for housing rights, calling for a national Traveller accommodation authority to address the failure of local councils to use allocated funding.
In the Seanad, she has championed the inclusion of Traveller culture and history in school curricula, ensuring education reflects her community’s experiences and contributions. By bringing critical Traveller issues into mainstream political discourse, she continues to push for meaningful policy change and lasting inclusion.
Nell Mc Cafferty:
A Pioneer in Irish Feminism and Investigative Journalism
“In the south, I could be a feminist. In the north, I could be a fighter.”
Nell McCafferty (1944–2024) was one of Ireland’s most fearless journalists, feminists, and activists, reshaping public discourse on gender, reproductive rights, and civil liberties.
A founding member of the Irish Women’s Liberation Movement, she played a key role in the 1971 “contraceptive train” protest, openly defying Ireland’s ban on contraception.
As an investigative journalist, Nell exposed systemic sexism in the legal system. Her In the Eyes of the Law series in The Irish Times highlighted injustices women faced in court, while her book A Woman to Blame (1985) condemned the state’s treatment of Joanne Hayes in the Kerry Babies case.
Beyond journalism, she was a relentless advocate for abortion rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and civil liberties, shaping debates on the Eighth Amendment and beyond.
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