MAGAZINE MAGAZINE
Welcome to the seventh edition of The F-Word Magazine! This issue explores a wide range of topics, and seeks to explore how feminism manifests in different areas of our society This issue aims to give a voice to those who have often gone unheard, and explore under-discussed topics such as platonic love, politics in everyday life, and how feminism informs guilty pleasures.
This issue also explores themes of oppression and suffering inflicted on women, aiming to shine a spotlight on issues that might otherwise fall on deaf ears. Such issues highlighted here include the suffering of women in Afghanistan through Taliban rule, the genocide in Palestine, and the generational pain inflicted by the Magdalene Laundries right here in Ireland. It is not possible to be a feminist without talking about uncomfortable topics like these, and this issue hopes to make these uncomfortable conversations possible The effects of these issues persist into the modern day, and silence is not an option.
This issue will also display various works of art, such as poems, visual pieces, and photoshoots We are immensely grateful to all of our contributors for their amazing work and we hope you appreciate their contributions as much as we do. Thank you for taking the time to read this issue, it means the world to us With
Elodie O’Callagha Editor-in-Chief
EVERY FICTITIOUS CIVILIZATION TRICKLES INTO REALITY, A SIMPLE CONNECTION BETWEEN FANTASY AND HUMANITY. THE INJUSTICES FACED ON THE DAY TO DAY, WITH THE PETRIFYING POLITICIANS WE CAN’T SLAY.
PHRASE SAID ARE A SIMPLE YET SLY PLOY, ‘BOYS WILL BE BOYS’ IT’S A PHRASE THAT IS OUTDATED BY YEARS, YET IT’S STILL USED TO DIMINISH GIRLS' FEARS.
THE FIGHTS FOR RIGHTS ARE NOT UNHEARD OF OR UNKNOWN YET WOMEN STILL CAN’T, AT NIGHT, WALK HOME ALONE, WE SEE IGNORANCE AND FANTASY P.O.V’S, AND SOMEHOW NO MATTER WHAT MAGICAL SOCIETY, THERE IS ALWAYS SOME REMINISCENCE OF OUR CRUMBLING WORLD, WITH MINORITIES' VOICES NOT BEING HEARDWITH SUPPORT GIVEN TO COUNTRIES WITH ARCHAIC LAWSWITH PEOPLE DYING WHILE FIGHTING FOR THEIR CAUSEOR FOR NO REASON AT ALL
HUMANS HAVE BECOME THE EARTH'S KILLING BLOW, HISTORY REPEATING ITSELF IS SOMETHING WE ALL KNOW, WE, PEOPLE, ARE NO CREATURES OF CHANGE, BUT WHO AM I TO START LISTING OFF NAMES, FOR WHILE PEOPLE TRY TO SEPARATE THEMSELVES FROM THE DYSTOPIAN BOOKS ON THEIR SHELVES WE NEED TO REALISE THAT OUR PERSONAL SOCIETY COLLIGATES AND IS IMPACTED BY OTHERS POLITICAL PROFLIGATE.
ThePersonal IsPolitical
bySaraLovett
“I am even writing this blog in my second language because I want the… it girls to be able to read my work”
I wasn’t sure about writing in for this edition but when I read this line I knew I had to. The personal is political- the personal is radically political. Everything I have ever done has been rooted in this sense of self I’ve curated, or fallen into, or was always destined to be, and everything I’ve ever done has been diplomatically conforming to that person.
Things that are political have to do with government, elections, and how society is run- that last part confirms everything I believe, everything I do is for, thought, and because of society. I am a cis, heteronormative appearing woman, I don’t wear a bra, but I will for events I need to be seen as professional, I dye my hair, but only to other natural hair colors, I bleach my eyebrowsoccasionally- but never shave them off. I am a leftist but remain palatable. As a mixed race woman I have always had views that are a little on the fringe of societal norms but have always worked to remain seen as conventional.
I hate billionaires and own an iPhone and an Alexa. I am for all personal freedoms and I don’t clash metals when I wear jewellery. Everything I am contradicts everything I believe in.
In an ideal world I am a nudist living off the land on a tropical island- instead I am in my second year of a politics degree. How do I detach from this identity and return to myself? Can I?
Abandon my self assigned mission to become a part of the flawed system I hope to change from the inside out- never fully understand the system I so blindly follow. Disconnect from the political, in my eyes this is a path reserved for only the most privileged in society.
To live alone, in a secluded area- even in the middle of the city, to live, it’s always been easier for a certain type of person, a certain gender, race, religion, tax bracket. The personal is profoundly political, and the assured effects of the personal from society illustrates this. The incomprehension of this does not come from the idea that some people can “escape the matrix” but simply that society is made for them to be comfortable and explore the personal with no consequence.
I am even writing this blog with the thought of postin contributor” on my LinkedIn because I want the world to see me as intelligent, involved, and feeling these thoughts was not enoughthe personal is much too political to keep to myself.
IMPACTINGOURLOVELIVES
BANEEN TALPUR
I’m sitting at my desk, looking around at the now bare walls of my room. There are 2 small suitcases and a pool of bags, my entire life in not even a car full of stuff. This is my third time moving in just over a year, the housing crisis crushing my possibility of finding stability once again. Even though I only lived here for about 3 months, I grew extremely attached to this place. Did the house have a mould problem? Yes. Was it super cold all the time? Also yes. But it was right by the sea, with loads of cafes and restaurants nearby Above all, the rent was cheap, what’s not to love?
I reflected on all the things that I did not get a chance to do in this house. I never got to host a dinner party. I never got to have sleepovers with family and friends when they would come to visit I glanced at the double bed, a luxury in Dublin’s current housing market Damn it, I never got to hook up with anyone in this room either! Even though it was the perfect place. A double room with an en suite? I simply could not believe my luck I did not have enough time to connect with someone enough to bring them here Regret, even though this was something out of my control, consumed me. As I filled out the forms to apply for rooms on Daft, the situation was even more dire.
I was presented with contracts filled with pages and pages of rules with many specifying no overnight guests and no noise. Not exactly the vibe if you are looking to have any kind of spicy time People always talk about how the housing crisis is impacting our love lives because young people cannot afford to move out of their parents home. There simply are not enough rooms to accommodate people and whatever is out there, is simply too expensive.
If you somehow do find the means, there are very few options. You could stay in a spare room in a family home where you are bound by all these rules In order to have anyone over, if you have the privilege of doing so, you have to ask. It feels like asking your own parents can I have someone over, even though you are an adult that is paying to be there!
Living with housemates or people you know does not necessarily make it better People want their own privacy or maybe want to introduce the person at a later stage but as soon as they set foot through the door, you cannot hide it anymore. There was another person there and now everyone knows it Cat’s out of the bag You have hard launched The walk of shame begins the second you open your bedroom door. Imagine having to share that space with a total stranger. Landlords finding every opportunity to gouge people will never fail to amaze me
Everywhere you look the block is there Renting a place as a couple can be harder with so many places specifying that they do not want any couples there. In the current Irish rental market, having the space for a love life is becoming increasingly hard to find.
Even beyond housing, dating is becoming increasingly difficult and expensive
“PEOPLE WANT THEIR OWN PRIVACY OR MAYBE WANT TO INTRODUCE THE PERSON AT A LATER STAGE BUT AS SOON AS THEY SET FOOT THROUGH THE DOOR, YOU CANNOT HIDE IT ANYMORE.”
I swear, it feels like they do not believe young adults are ACTUAL adults, who have the right to their own space with dignity and privacy. The worst? The rise of shared rooms The amount of rooms being advertised that you have to share with someone else is growing You may not know the person who you are going to share it with You thought having your own room in a family home was bad?
A dinner for two costs over fifty euro now and that may not even include dessert The prospect of getting down and dirty with someone from the club? Dwindling, because A- all the clubs are shutting down; and B- you have to remember that the others must be told that there is someone coming over
own room in a family home was bad?
Not a hope And yet, the government still has the audacity to complain about the lowering birth rate in this country
“THECARDSARE STACKEDAGAINSTUSAS
YOUNGPEOPLELOOKING FORLOVEINIRELAND”
The cards are stacked against us as young people looking for love in Ireland. With no house, no job (because AI is taking them, obviously) and no places to hang out, there is not much to offer but at least we have funny personalities and whimsy if you will
As I look at the walls of my new room, covered in colourful posters, cute plushies and fairy lights, I take a glance at the now single bed in the corner It is what it is I say to myself. I guess we’ll have to make it work when the time comes
WHYTHE GENOCIDE IN PALESTINE IS A FEMINIST ISSUE
BY ELODIE O’CALLAGHAN
In the 90+ years since, the Zionist state was established, and over the course of many hostile military actions, forced displacement, and ethnic cleansing, the Zionist state has expanded to occupy the vast majority of the Palestinian territory. The colonisation of Palestinian lands has led to the imposition of an apartheid-like system, whereby Zionist settlers, largely of European heritage, are given wide-ranging civil liberties, freedom of movement, and access to public services. In contrast, Palestinians are massively restricted in movement through checkpoints, often forcibly removed from their homes, and are thrown in prison without charge or trial
This issue has expanded since October 7, 2023, when the Zionist state embarked on a renewed campaign of terror, particularly in Gaza. Whilst the system of apartheid was observable in the West Bank, Gaza was largely untouched within its borders People had the freedom to move across the Strip, live in their home without fear of displacement, and receive services provided by Palestinian-led authorities. However, Israel embarked on a campaign of bombing and invasion, cutting off services like electricity and water, and indiscriminately killing Palestinians through a ground invasion This expanded their campaign of ethnic cleansing observed in the West Bank to an undeniable campaign of genocide in Gaza.
This genocide is indisputably a feminist issue Women are disproportionately affected by the terror inflicted by the Israeli state For example, amidst the Zionist genocide, women in Gaza cannot easily access period products such as pads or tampons, as well as access to healthcare services. They instead are forced to use torn clothing, rags, and discarded tent materials, which introduces a high risk of infection If such infection does occur, the methodical Zionist bombing of hospitals leaves them without access to proper healthcare. In a UN report: Masya, a woman living in Gaza, stated: “Food keeps us alive, but pads, soap, and privacy let us live with dignity,” “When we receive hygiene kits, it feels like someone finally sees us ” Less than a quarter of the required amount of period products are available to women living in Gaza.
Furthermore, women who have to give birth in Gaza don’t have proper access to pain medication and sterile tools. As well as this, many of the top maternity specialists in Gaza have been killed, leaving pregnant women without professionals to help deliver their babies in a safe environment. This is a devastating health catastrophe, deliberately inflicted on them by the Zionist state.
Despite this being a crisis for women in Palestine, many Western ‘feminists’ are deafeningly silent on the issue For others, they are proud to be self-proclaimed ‘Zionist feminists.’ This is an oxymoron. To be a feminist, you must stand with all women in their fight for gender liberation and justice. To throw Palestinian women under the bus, for the sake of propping up the illegal settler colonial project known as ‘Israel,’ whose state is founded on control, colonisation, and violence, is not feminist. Zionism also goes hand-in-hand with racism, an ideology which is also completely incompatible with feminist thought As feminist author bell hooks aptly put: “As long as women are using class or race or power to dominate other women, feminist sisterhood cannot be fully realized.”
Feminists in the West and across the world should be apoplectic, and many are, though so many more are shockingly silent. We must advocate for the women of Palestine, as well as all persecuted women in the world, if we are to act as truefeminists
If you live in Cork, you can take action by attending the weekly marches staged by the Cork Palestine Solidarity Campaign, write to your local TDs urging them to stop support for Israel and its allies, as well as donate to various organisations that help uplift people in Gaza and the West Bank, giving them vital support in a time of such intense persecution, fear, and violence. Such organisations can befound online.
AVOICEFORVOICELESS
WOMENINAFGHANISTAN
Mahbooba Faiz is a lawyer and dedicated women ' s rights activist originally from Afghanistan but now settled in Ireland By challenging the systemic barriers that constrain Afghan women ' s rights, Mahbooba offers us readers a glimpse into atrocities faced by women living under Taliban rule Her passionate tone and quote-worthy statements while discussing her advocacy show how deeply personal the issue of Gender Apartheid is Mahbooba is a two-time refugee, having had to flee Afghanistan first in 1998 and again when the Taliban regained power in 2021 Mahbooba told me that she experienced a lot of injustice and discrimination against women back in Afghanistan She highlighted a vivid childhood memory of brutal Taliban flogging her mother in front of her eyes as her mother was not wearing socks Mahbooba stresses that patriarchal, systemic operations imposed on women in Afghanistan (and Iran) ought to be referred to as ‘Gender Apartheid’ From the plight of Afghan women to how we ought to remain optimistic in this unjust contemporary world, I invite you to learn from Mahbooba Faiz and the End Gender Apartheid campaign.
The End Gender Apartheid (EGA) campaign began on International Women’s Day 2023 with a group of women ' s rights activists from Afghanistan and Iran, as well as scholars and United Nations experts They believe the treatment of Afghan and Iranian women by the Taliban amounts to ‘Gender Apartheid’ as women have been completely banned from their most basic human rights under the Taliban regime Half of the Afghan population are being wiped out from public life Instances of this include being unable to travel alone, being banned from education, and not permitted to pursue a career A glimpse into the grim reality faced by women in Afghanistan shows how horrific occurences are too extreme to be referred to as mere ‘discrimination against women’ Activists for the EGA campaign believe this occurs through a system that the Taliban government has enforced upon women
EGA activists presented an open letter to the UN urging them to recognize Gender Apartheid as a crime against humanity. The term ‘apartheid’ often has racial connotations, as it was first used in South Africa to describe the nation’s systematic racial segregation
However, EGA campaigners lobby the UN to expand the definition of apartheid so it includes gender as well as race Gender Apartheid ought to be recognized and codified under International Law so perpetrators of Gender Apartheid are held accountable for atrocities they cause Mahbooba joined the End Gender Apartheid campaign in 2024 She has contacted many TDs, Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs, and various human rights organizations urging them to support the inclusion of Gender Apartheid in UN treaties The EGA campaign has seen many talks given in universities across the globe EGA’s aim is to disseminate information and spread the word about Gender Apartheid. It is a new term in international law and EGA members feel obliged to raise awareness of it EGA also aims to have the term recognized in domestic laws Hence, Mahbooba advocates in Ireland to raise awareness of Gender Apartheid and how it is a crime being committed in Afghanistan The more this term is used, the greater the public awareness Whenever Mahbooba attends a panel discussion or delivers a speech, she requests participants to simply use the term If you are attending an event or conference, or even when you partake in public or academic discourse, use the term and mention the women of Afghanistan who are suffering from a Gender Apartheid regime This will help get the EGA campaign’s message out sooner
There have been numerous conferences where EGA members campaign for the inclusion of Gender Apartheid under the UN’s new International Convention So far, up to 20 countries (examples include Germany, Mexico, the Philippines and Canada) support seeing Gender Apartheid as a crime against humanity They therefore also support Gender Apartheid being considered in the UN’s draft convention for Prevention and Punishment for Crimes Against Humanity EGA activists want the term “Gender Apartheid” to be included in Article 2 of this draft convention; for the international community to expand the definition of apartheid under the 1973 Apartheid Convention; and for the 2002 Rome Statute to encompass Gender Apartheid Gender persecution was previously defined and recognized as a crime against humanity in Article 7 of the Rome Statute, but EGA campaigners state that the term ‘Gender Persecution’ fails to capture the severity of horrors Afghan and Iranian women endure on a daily basis
Whenever Mahbooba attends a panel discussion or delivers a speech, she requests that participants simply use the term ‘Gender Apartheid’ Scenario examples are endless, such as if you are attending another event or conference, or even when you partake in public or academic discourse Use the term in various scenarios and mention the women of Afghanistan who are suffering from the Gender Apartheid regime while being erased from public life She tells me that this will help spread her message- to end Gender Apartheid. The Gender Apartheid regime exists to oppress women Mahbooba makes it clear that there should be an end to this unacceptable regime She tells me that in the 21st century we should not permit any instance of repression of women nor ban them from exercising their human rights To Mahbooba, silence is complicity She does not want complicity She speaks about the injustice women face in Afghanistan as well as around the globe As someone fortunate enough to live in a country where I have freedom of speech, I believe we ought to utilise it to ensure other’s can exercise their fundamental human rights
Mahbooba claims it should be a legal and moral obligation for any civilised person (not just women) to support these kinds of campaigns. Mahbooba’s husband is also from Afghanistan and a human rights defender He ought to be an inspiration to Afghan men and men across the globe She tells me that usually, when Afghan women get married, they are ordered to stay in the home and banned from pursuing education
Another woman would have been silenced, but Mahbooba was fortunate that her husband encouraged her to pursue higher education and advocate for the rights of women He left Afghanistan alongside Mahbooba, and she considers her husband one of her biggest supporters. He also advocates for ending Gender Apartheid
Feminism to Mahbooba is equality between men and women She wishes for their natural and legal rights to be similar In her culture, men are superior and women are merely men’s possessions Recently, a penal code announced by the Taliban used terminology associated with slavery and differentiated between those who are free and those who are enslaved. This depicts a cultural mindset based on belief in the inherent inferiority of women
There is information available online about the End Gender Apartheid Campaign Do not hesitate to reach out to members Take part in the movement to eradicate Gender Apartheid and advocate for the rights of women in Afghanistan and Iran You can also follow the EGA Instagram account @endgenderapartheid.today.
MAHBOOBA’STAKEAWAYFORREADERS
“We should always speak out against inequality We should hope for a better future. I spent lots of my life studying international law Lots of people doubt International Law now, but I still believe international law is powerful and should be respected and upheld This is the only way we can prevent people from doing wrong I still have a strong belief in International Law; it keeps me grounded and positive in advocating for the rights of women. One day there will be change. If not soon, there will be an end to injustice It is not easy to stay positive in this world, but this keeps me grounded ”
“Despite all the turmoil that is going on all over the world at the moment; let’s also do a random act of kindness Let’s also think of the people who are less privileged, underrepresented, who don’t have the opportunity to speak for themselves. Let’s be the voices of those people who do not have a voice, especially Afghan women They are banned from speaking up ”
“This is not just about the women in Afghanistan; this is a global issue for every woman, everywhere”
I am Indiana S Antoniou (I.S.A), an artist driven by the intricate and often unsettling complexities of human existence. My work explores the animalistic nature of humanity, delving into the depths of pain, loss, fear, vulnerability, and sexuality. Through a rich tapestry of animal and colour symbolism, I seek to convey the multifaceted narratives of being human.
Drawing inspiration from the surrealist masters Salvador Dali, the emotive Frida Kahlo, the provocative Marina Abramović, and the opulent Gustav Klimt, my art is a fusion of the dark and the sublime. I employ a diverse range of mediums, including oil paints, pencil, and acrylic markers, to create vibrant, unsettling, and thought-provoking pieces that challenge the boundaries of human experience.
My artistic journey is a relentless pursuit of understanding the human condition and relationship with religion Depicting all its contradictions, complexities and paradoxes. I invite viewers to immerse themselves in a world, where the boundaries between human and animal, darkness and light, are blurred, and the raw essence of existence is revealed.
THE LADIES WHO SAVED ME
ELSA FORREST
Our lives are governed by a strict set of rules Whether these are laws or unspoken standards, we are expected to conduct ourselves a certain way. These rules seep into most of our relationships. You must respect
your parents. You must not talk back to your teacher. You must always like the person you love. I recently read a short story by Colombe Schneck. Aptly, it was titled “Friendship ” These rules restrict us, trap us in a cage of expectations, often forbidding us from growing, but, as Schneck says “there are no such rules inflicted on friendship; it has been left in peace ”
I met the love of my life when I was fifteen. I watched from afar as you d with any crush for some weeks, observed their interests, the others in t group, the dynamic. I watched everything before I made my move. Sara so smart, perfect and shiny to a younger me. She was everything I want be and she made all the things I didn’t like about myself into something worthwhile. Her flaws had a cause, and she showed me that mine did to
Around Sarah I felt entirely natural, in a way I never felt around anyone dressed myself in front of her, peed while she showered, drooled on he pillows and wore her bras.I am writing this now and I know when I read be so nervous. I can hear the lines I’ll stutter over but Sarah is here. She always there.
Many things are hard for me. I cannot keep my voice down, I can’t help but leave pieces of myself behind after every sleepover, I always have an opinion, I time how long I hold eye contact and pick at my fingernails. Sarah sees this, Sarah knows this and she loves me. To be unseen by a man is impossible, to be understood by one is difficult but to be unseen and understood by a good friend is the standard.
Women are always expected to have something to give, but that is not love. There is an unspoken understanding amongst women who see each other like Sarah sees me, like how I see her, that we need to give nothing on the days we can’t And give everything on the days when we can We give what we can, not because we must, but because of course we would
Friendships between women are the only place where we can possibly exist without scrutiny, without rules and judgement The rules society tells me I must follow go out the window when I'm at a table with Sarah. We have been left in peace.
Friendship is so often demeaned and looked down on. It doesn’t bring financial gain like a marriage, it isn’t a duty like family. It can be tied to no particular rule. We are reduced down to tropes, quizzes asking us if we are Carrie, Miranda, Samantha or Charlotte, videos telling us whether our star sign means we’re the pretty, sexy, cute or hot friend. The secrets, pacts and promises are mocked by people who’ve long forgotten how important this companionship is, but friendship is just as essential as any kind of relationship.
Friendship is something beautiful because it is always a choice. I am lucky because Sarah is one example of the many friends in my life, who are as undisturbed by me as she is. I am not tied to Sarah by obligation, I am not required to tell her everything, I choose to. In a world where everyone expects something from everyone always, friendship has been left untouched. It has been left in peace.
“AmIabadfeministforlovingLoveIsland?”
EllenO’Riordan
t’s quarter past seven in the morning and I’m stumbling my way downstairs As I’m sitting there eating . my Rice Crispies in my Monsters Inc. snoodie, I take my phone and naturally open Instagram. Without a moment’s hesitation, I type in Love Island into the handle bar, and I click on their profile, and I’m hooked, along with 2 6 million other people across Ireland and the UK But why? Is it the drama, the scandal, the sex, the betrayal?
I mean it is, but it’s also the same story, just a different font Girl and boy like each other, boy wants to ‘keep his options open, ’ so he pursues another girl. Girl is heartbroken and/or extremely angry. Boy makes a half-hearted apology Girl accepts Boy and girl get back together and live happily ever after That is of course, until the Daily Mail headline ‘Love Island’s [blank] found cheating on his Love Island beau in a nightclub in Ibiza’ is splashed across the front pages two weeks later
From one perspective, Love Island gives women the opportunity to create a platform for themselves, providing them with opportunities they would previously never have been afforded The best example of a woman who turned a summer of love into an empire is Molly-Mae Hague. Arguably one of Love Island’s most successful contestants ever, she has amassed millions of followers and established an incredibly successful beauty and fashion empire But at what cost?
Love Island places women in a position where they are scrutinised for every move they make They are judged and wholly condemned for everything, from their actions and mannerisms to their outfit choices, no mistake is too small to avoid critique. Not to mention the choices they make pursuing love on the show itself. Whether they overlook the mistakes their partner had made, or they don’t, ultimately in the eyes of the public they will always be wrong Their anger is unaccepted and repackaged as ‘mad, crazy, aggressive’ or they are nicknamed the public’s latest favourite moniker for angry women ‘Hurricane [blank] ’
udience treats women on the show is the way women on
s of pure female friendships are evident - the kind, fun and reality and experience, the friendships that more closely resemble sisterhood In Love Island’s most recent season we were rooting for Yasmin, Shakira and Toni, who embodied this type of female friendship While I am unashamedly a fan of theirs, they were consistently pitted against another group of women The fights between both groups were vicious, broadcasted in HD and almost exclusively centred around men Undoubtedly, it made for fantastic television
It also made for a strategic marketing tool for ITV, as they silently encouraged viewers to choose sides They stood idly by as TikTok edits and hate comments were made whereby people aligned themselves with one group, often by tearing down the other They used female solidarity as a tool to divide the women of the show, all the while bolstering their views and lining their pockets
What enrages me the most? The fact men are often the true source of their anger, and the fact that their bad behaviour routinely goes unpunished by each other, or Love Island itself. In search of proof, look no further than Harrison Solomon waltzing onto Love Island’s All Stars in 2026, even after his reprehensible behaviour towards women last season. Women’s Aid issued a statement condemning it.
Love Island is incredibly entertaining, I’ll be the first to admit the highlight of my morning is discovering who the contestants Snogged, Married or Pied in the yearly fan favourite game
However, that doesn’t change the fact that degrading women is almost as prevalent in the show as finding love This ultimately leaves me with the uncomfortable question, am I bad feminist for loving Love Island?
WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP
An Interview with Aileen Delaney
Interviewed by Hannah Henchin
WHAT BARRIERS HAVE YOU FACED AS A WOMAN IN YOUR INDUSTRY? HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THEM?
I entered financial services in 2012 and very quickly realised the financial planning industry is built on credibility, knowledge and resilience
I was committed to my education and over ten years completed around sixteen professional exams. Knowledge is power and is the foundation for confidence
Credibility and client relationships are crucial Starting without a client base is extremely challenging In sales, you hear “no” a lot of the time I had to learn not to take rejection personally “No” is a part of the process - not a reflection of your worth.
Over time, I also recognised that women bring powerful strengths to financial planning such as empathy
Many times, clients feel more comfortable discussing finance with someone they trust
Leaning into those strengths helped me overcome obstacles and build long term relationships The biggest shift for me was confidence. As my knowledge grew, so did my belief in myself. When you truly understand what you're talking about, confidence grows
HAVE YOU EVER EXPERIENCED IMPOSTER SYNDROME AS A WOMAN IN A MALE-DOMINATED FIELD? IF SO, HOW DID YOU OVERCOME IT?
Every day and sometimes still Some argue it individualises what are actually structural challenges
For me, confidence has fluctuated at different stages of life When my personal circumstances were stressful, it was much harder to perform at the level I wanted professionally As my confidence grew, the feeling of being an imposter diminished.One of the most important lessons I learned is to get comfortable being uncomfortable; professional development rarely happens without discomfort
Sometimes you need to push yourself, and sometimes you need people around you who will push you In a male-dominated environment, technical competence is critical As my technical knowledge strengthened, I found I didn’t second-guess myself as much. I didn’t feel the need to constantly check whether I deserved to be in the room Support systems are also vital Coming to work in a positive headspace makes a significant difference Women are often socially conditioned to manage multiple responsibilities, which can create enormous pressure When that pressure eases and when you feel supported, that imposter feeling loses its power
BEYOND REVENUE AND GROWTH, HOW DO YOU DEFINE SUCCESS?
Revenue and growth are expected For me, success is built on reputation and integrity Your reputation with clients, your team, and within the wider market is everything. Integrity must never be compromised not for short-term gain, not for optics, not for competition I am deeply focused on culture Respect is a core value in our organisation respect for each other, for our differences, and even in how we communicate How we write emails matters How we speak to colleagues matters Professionalism matters. Adherence to regulatory standards is non-negotiable. So is resilience particularly in financial services, where we guide clients through market volatility and economic uncertainty
Don’t build your career around proving someone wrong Build it around mastering something difficult Take roles that force you outside your comfort zone Educate yourself continuously Find a mentor Seek feedback, even when it’s hard to hear Feedback accelerates growth
There are two schools of thought The first is adapting to existing norms to gain influence, the second is reshaping norms entirely The majority of women in the industry will do both, however I will never stick to norms To do this, you must present yourself with confidence Stick to facts and claim your ideas, don't be scared to say “I led this” or “This was my idea.” Own your success and celebrate it. Build relationships. Don’t operate as a lone wolf There will be times when you are assumed to be the note-taker or the support role Challenge those assumptions calmly Carve your own path rather than conforming blindly & find ways to ensure your presence is noticed Thankfully, workplace culture has improved significantly over the years. Behaviour that was once tolerated is no longer acceptable, and that’s progress. We need men as allies, advocates, and partners Progress is collaborative Be careful not to burn yourself out Some women assume the role of doing everything, which we do not have to do, use support systems where possible to protect your time & energy Use your ability to multitask as your superpower
Finally, it is never too late to start over. Feel the fear and do it anyway!
CHIARA ALESSIO
Intestines, insides pierced through.
Beyond, behind and within. Bloody and messy.
Water as the primary and first home. The ancestral waters from where it all began, our very own insides,
A sort of umbilical cord,
An artery,
Something which connects our very flesh with the outside world, Serpentine music, slithering through, but also swimming through Swimming through a portal of ancestral waters
The waters which produce and which swallow
The beginning and the end
The alpha and the omega
The umbilical cord is wrapping against the flesh and the body as a coached snake
With pain and difficulty but also tender love and care.
PICTURE:”OUBOROS”- CHIARA ALESSIO
The weeds strike up through cracks in the concrete, The dark stone slabs barely visible beneath a carpet of moss, The park, once beautiful, had grown over, with snowdrops
Choking in cages of thistles and thorns
Over the wall, the elites sit in their Eden, Their fountains flow and they lie in gilded houses
And sit on gilded thrones,
Caring not for the hands that built it.
Over the wall, the workers came home late, And went to the grave early.
Let them not enter, the elites said, Eden was not built for those who ate the fruit
Strength Jade O’Mahony
MENTAL HEALTH, SOMETHING I STRUGGLE WITH EVERYDAY. STUCK IN MY OWN HEAD WITH MY UNCOMFORTABLE, UNCONTROLLABLE THOUGHTS. A CYCLE THAT NEVER ENDS SOMEDAYS STRUGGLING TO GET OUT THE BED AND DO THE SIMPLE EVERYDAY TASKS. THE CONSTANT PRESSURE TO BE THE PERFECT STUDENT, DAUGHTER, FRIEND AND SISTER.
THE SHIFTS IN BEHAVIOUR AND ATTITUDE, NOT BEING THE PERSON YOU ONCE WERE THE CHANGES THAT ARE NOTICED, MAKE ME UPSET EVEN MORE. HOW I NAP MORE, CRY MORE AND OVERALL JUST STRUGGLE MORE.
THE CONSTANT COMMUTING, ALWAYS ON THE GO. NOT MUCH REST, NOT MUCH CONTROL. THE FEELING OF GUILT FOR NOT BEING BETTER, CONSTANTLY STRUGGLING WITH EACH FIGHT GETTING HARDER.
EVEN THOUGH I AM STRUGGLING, I KNOW I AM NOT ALONE. THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO LOVE YOU, YOU ARE NEVER ON YOUR OWN. BE KIND TO YOURSELF AND TO OTHERS, WE ALL HAVE A STORY AND IT IS ONLY GOING TO GET BETTER.
Magdelane Laundries
Editorial essay by Hannah Henchin
Throughout history, Irish women have been subjected to marginalisation and segregation through the state, which the church primarily accompanied. Ireland’s state and church were astoundingly intertwined through policy, education and moral order. Through this, the state used a catholic moral order to control the population from specific ideas of divorce, contraception and pre-marital sexual relations. The church used state-funded institutions such as the Magdalene Laundries to ensure the population of Irish women would only procreate while married by using tactics of biopower, such as observation and scrutiny.
Catholic doctrine primarily celebrates the idea of motherhood, yet this was only esteemed within the parameters of marriage, outside of this, women would be sent to one of the many Magdalene Laundries spread across Ireland. The Magdalene Laundries, established in the 1920’s, were initially established to rehabilitate ‘fallen women’ in the eyes of the government. However, these became sites of extreme punishment to the body and mind to help the women achieve spiritual absolution for their sins, for the population of Ireland to keep an image of moral catholic order.
Countless times throughout recent Irish history bodies of women were found, in 1993, 155 women's unmarked graves were discovered exposing the intense and deadly conditions these women were subject to, alongside the 796 children who died between 1925 and 1961 in the St Marys mother and baby home with no burial records, highlighting systematic neglect with many of these deaths being believed to have ended up in the former sewage facility.
The Irish government issued an investigation into the Magdalene Laundries and in their findings they subtly stated that the families of these women were to blame. In reality, it was the state and church exercising biopower by entrapping women in these institutions through ensuring these women were unable to fully prevent being impregnated due to their ban on contraception and by criminalizing abortion. These repressive institutions were used to push the regulation of bodies for a national identity in order to protect a newfound national identity. The Magdalene Laundries operated not merely as punitive sites, but also as agents of normalisation designed to promote obedience among female citizens in Ireland.
Now, 2026, the former Cork Magdalene laundry is becoming a 957 bed student accommodation complex, without completing an archaeological dig of the site first, claiming the housing crisis comes first. Once again it is demonstrated that Ireland will be-little the horrifying things these women endured, under the guise of a ‘bigger social problem’. No one will argue against the claim that the housing crisis must be addressed, but that does not mean we can ignore the history of past tortured women when there has been evidence of hidden deaths in other Magdalene Laundries throughout Ireland. We cannot hide from this history, women of the past deserve to be fought for, especially where their victimhood is far from addressed. Ní féidir le Eire stop a chur leis an troid, ní go dtí go bhfaighidh siad ceartas.
Across
4. Leads to prejudice against people or groups; stereotypes
8. Existential, feminist philosopher and political activist who wrote The Second Sex (1949)
9 The ability to make decisions and act independently; (organization providing a particular service on behalf of another)
11. Feminist slogan from the 1960s-70s second-wave feminism asserting ones private experiences reflect public systems, power and problems. The Personal is
12. Social system in which men hold primary power and privilege
13. Freedom in society from oppressive restrictions
Form words using letters in the word wheel. The wheel’s central letter (S) must be used somewhere in each word.
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