Insights from leading voices in advocacy Sinéad Burke, Dr. Maeve O Rourke, and Mellissa English SC to discuss the importance of Accelerating Action with a keynote address by Ms. Justice Marie Baker (rtd.)
The Bar of Ireland is proud to host its annual International Women’s Day celebration on Thursday, 6 March 2025, at the Honorable Society of the King’s Inns.
This year’s theme, ‘Accelerate Action,’ highlights the need for continued momentum in advancing gender equality and resilience within the legal profession and society.
Esteemed Panel
The panel discussion, chaired by The Hon. Ms. Justice Bolger, will include:
- Sinéad Burke – disability activist, writer and CEO & Founder of Tilting the Lens, a consultancy firm focused on improving accessibility standards globally
- Dr. Maeve O Rourke – Human Rights Lecturer University of Galway
- Mellissa English SC – Chief Parliamentary Legal Advisor
Keynote Address
Following the panel discussion, Ms. Justice Marie Baker (retd.) will deliver the keynote address, emphasizing the evolving role of women in the legal profession and the broader societal imperative to accelerate gender equality. A champion for women in the legal sector, Ms. Justice Marie Baker has expressed achieving equality in the field by challenging unconscious biases and societal norms.
Commenting on the significance of this year’s theme, Sinéad Burke stated:
Accelerating action is a commitment to moving beyond awareness and education, to ensure that progress is implemented, resourced, measured and iterated. Unprecedented times call for sustained and systemic action, and it requires all of us.
Speaking in advance of the evening, Seán Guerin SC, Chair of the Council of The Bar of Ireland, stated:
As we mark International Women’s Day at The Bar of Ireland, we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that all practitioners are treated with dignity and respect.
Accelerating action requires a continuing commitment to taking concrete steps to enhance our support systems, promote equal opportunities, and ensure that our policies and practices reflect a profession that champions equality, resilience, and opportunity for all.
Supporting Women’s Aid
Proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to Women’s Aid, as nominated by The Bar of Ireland’s Equality & Resilience Committee, reinforcing the commitment to supporting women beyond the legal sphere. The evening will also provide an opportunity for attendees to network and engage in meaningful discussions on the progress and challenges facing women today.
This International Women’s Day, we are being asked to Accelerate Action towards a gender equal world. Women’s Aid has been working to prevent and address the impact of domestic violence and abuse in Ireland for the last 50 years.
A gender equal society can only exist when there is zero tolerance of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and abuse. There has been significant progress in responding to this violence and abuse in Ireland in recent years.
We now need to maintain that momentum to secure, strengthen, and continue the progress for the one in three women in Ireland who have experienced abuse from an intimate partner.
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