Aoife
@itseeefa.bsky.social
Founder 50:50 NI | All opinions are mine | Big fan of my cats | she/her
I've written about why Ireland has now elected a woman as president for the third time, yet there has never been a woman as Taoiseach, and the number of women in politics overall is disappointingly low. Read my thoughts here: shorturl.at/tyuhB
Why Can Women be President but not Taoiseach?
Ireland has elected a woman as president for the third time, but the number of women in government positions remains disappointingly low.
shorturl.at
November 14, 2025 at 2:25 PM
I've written about why Ireland has now elected a woman as president for the third time, yet there has never been a woman as Taoiseach, and the number of women in politics overall is disappointingly low. Read my thoughts here: shorturl.at/tyuhB
I feel something has been missing in the analysis of the rise of far-right, anti-immigrant sentiment.
I wrote about this on my new Substack. When the far right says they are protecting women, they aren't simply lying; they actually believe they are. This is dangerous.
shorturl.at/TrKIS
I wrote about this on my new Substack. When the far right says they are protecting women, they aren't simply lying; they actually believe they are. This is dangerous.
shorturl.at/TrKIS
Why Do Far-Right Protesters Think They Are Protecting Women?
Thanks for reading The Feminist Lens!
shorturl.at
September 17, 2025 at 10:44 AM
I feel something has been missing in the analysis of the rise of far-right, anti-immigrant sentiment.
I wrote about this on my new Substack. When the far right says they are protecting women, they aren't simply lying; they actually believe they are. This is dangerous.
shorturl.at/TrKIS
I wrote about this on my new Substack. When the far right says they are protecting women, they aren't simply lying; they actually believe they are. This is dangerous.
shorturl.at/TrKIS
That most train services on the Portadown line don't go to Newry, the next station, the last station on the line in the north, infuriates me!
Translink has extra train services for Belfast Vital, that's great! But from the website, it looks like they don't go to Newry?
Translink has extra train services for Belfast Vital, that's great! But from the website, it looks like they don't go to Newry?
August 27, 2025 at 1:42 PM
That most train services on the Portadown line don't go to Newry, the next station, the last station on the line in the north, infuriates me!
Translink has extra train services for Belfast Vital, that's great! But from the website, it looks like they don't go to Newry?
Translink has extra train services for Belfast Vital, that's great! But from the website, it looks like they don't go to Newry?
I had a great time chairing a panel yesterday at Feile an Phobail, for Ireland's Future. Great discussion on decolonial approaches to a New Ireland. Balancing accommodation and social justice, and thinking about what role a new Ireland might play in the international community.
FÉILE 25: Creating a new Ireland and the Protestant perspective
IF challenging stereotypes and giving rise to fresh opinions are key components of Féile debates then we got off to a positive start on Thursday.
belfastmedia.com
August 1, 2025 at 9:52 PM
I had a great time chairing a panel yesterday at Feile an Phobail, for Ireland's Future. Great discussion on decolonial approaches to a New Ireland. Balancing accommodation and social justice, and thinking about what role a new Ireland might play in the international community.
They starved us once, like they starve you now. Our children died as yours do. They shipped our food out in boats; they keep yours out in trucks.
It is a shame on humanity that another nation suffers the pain, devastation and horror of Ocras.
Saoirse don Phalaistín, Gaza go brách. 🇵🇸🇮🇪
It is a shame on humanity that another nation suffers the pain, devastation and horror of Ocras.
Saoirse don Phalaistín, Gaza go brách. 🇵🇸🇮🇪
July 23, 2025 at 12:37 AM
They starved us once, like they starve you now. Our children died as yours do. They shipped our food out in boats; they keep yours out in trucks.
It is a shame on humanity that another nation suffers the pain, devastation and horror of Ocras.
Saoirse don Phalaistín, Gaza go brách. 🇵🇸🇮🇪
It is a shame on humanity that another nation suffers the pain, devastation and horror of Ocras.
Saoirse don Phalaistín, Gaza go brách. 🇵🇸🇮🇪
Reposted by Aoife
"The result is that women are choosing not to run, stepping back from public roles or enduring ongoing psychological harm." Aoife Clements, @itseeefa.bsky.social, Founder of
@5050ni.bsky.social, is this week's guest writer for Pivotal Platform. www.pivotalpolicy.org/our-work/piv...
@5050ni.bsky.social, is this week's guest writer for Pivotal Platform. www.pivotalpolicy.org/our-work/piv...
July 3, 2025 at 11:18 AM
"The result is that women are choosing not to run, stepping back from public roles or enduring ongoing psychological harm." Aoife Clements, @itseeefa.bsky.social, Founder of
@5050ni.bsky.social, is this week's guest writer for Pivotal Platform. www.pivotalpolicy.org/our-work/piv...
@5050ni.bsky.social, is this week's guest writer for Pivotal Platform. www.pivotalpolicy.org/our-work/piv...
Really enjoyed taking part in this round table at #BISA2025!
Had a great time at #BISA2025 @mybisa.bsky.social yesterday!
Loved sharing a roundtable with Diana Ortega, @itseeefa.bsky.social & Dr Claire Wright on GBV, organised crime & transitional justice in Colombia, Mexico & Northern Ireland 🇨🇴🇲🇽☘️
Always a joy to work with such smart colleagues & friends🫰🏼
Loved sharing a roundtable with Diana Ortega, @itseeefa.bsky.social & Dr Claire Wright on GBV, organised crime & transitional justice in Colombia, Mexico & Northern Ireland 🇨🇴🇲🇽☘️
Always a joy to work with such smart colleagues & friends🫰🏼
June 19, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Really enjoyed taking part in this round table at #BISA2025!
Reposted by Aoife
This week we think of the women who play important yet often overlooked roles in the ongoing decolonisation of the 17 Non-Self Governing Territories recognised by the UN.
Women's voices must be included in order to dismantle all systems of colonial domination - including the patriarchy!
Women's voices must be included in order to dismantle all systems of colonial domination - including the patriarchy!
May 30, 2025 at 12:46 PM
This week we think of the women who play important yet often overlooked roles in the ongoing decolonisation of the 17 Non-Self Governing Territories recognised by the UN.
Women's voices must be included in order to dismantle all systems of colonial domination - including the patriarchy!
Women's voices must be included in order to dismantle all systems of colonial domination - including the patriarchy!
Reposted by Aoife
Our Solicitor, Úna Boyd has joined hundreds of legal professionals across the UK and Ireland in signing open letters calling for urgent government action in response to the situation in Gaza.
Read more 👇
theguardian.com/world/2025/m...
irishtimes.com/politics/202...
Read more 👇
theguardian.com/world/2025/m...
irishtimes.com/politics/202...
UK must impose sanctions on Israel to meet legal obligations, say more than 800 lawyers
Exclusive: Letter to PM signed by retired supreme court justices among others says lack of action will imperil international legal system
theguardian.com
May 29, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Our Solicitor, Úna Boyd has joined hundreds of legal professionals across the UK and Ireland in signing open letters calling for urgent government action in response to the situation in Gaza.
Read more 👇
theguardian.com/world/2025/m...
irishtimes.com/politics/202...
Read more 👇
theguardian.com/world/2025/m...
irishtimes.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Aoife
Had a lovely morning yesterday at the Launch of Women's Spaces 'Pillars for Peace' toolkit.
An amazing tool to facilitate, encourage and increase women's role in peacebuilding in NI.
You can access a fantastic resource here: www.pillarsforpeace.org/toolkit
An amazing tool to facilitate, encourage and increase women's role in peacebuilding in NI.
You can access a fantastic resource here: www.pillarsforpeace.org/toolkit
May 28, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Had a lovely morning yesterday at the Launch of Women's Spaces 'Pillars for Peace' toolkit.
An amazing tool to facilitate, encourage and increase women's role in peacebuilding in NI.
You can access a fantastic resource here: www.pillarsforpeace.org/toolkit
An amazing tool to facilitate, encourage and increase women's role in peacebuilding in NI.
You can access a fantastic resource here: www.pillarsforpeace.org/toolkit
During my week in NYC, The Irish Arts centre in Manhattan was kind enough to host me and my peers at the opening night of "The United States v Ulysses", which was really amazing!
And we were lucky enough to attend @theirelandfunds.bsky.social's annual NYC Gala.
And we were lucky enough to attend @theirelandfunds.bsky.social's annual NYC Gala.
May 5, 2025 at 6:53 PM
During my week in NYC, The Irish Arts centre in Manhattan was kind enough to host me and my peers at the opening night of "The United States v Ulysses", which was really amazing!
And we were lucky enough to attend @theirelandfunds.bsky.social's annual NYC Gala.
And we were lucky enough to attend @theirelandfunds.bsky.social's annual NYC Gala.
I had a fantastic week in NYC presenting my policy paper on online violence against women at the NCAFP Emerging Leaders Conference.
My paper focuses on online violence against women in politics and how this is a major barrier to women taking the step into politics.
My paper focuses on online violence against women in politics and how this is a major barrier to women taking the step into politics.
May 5, 2025 at 6:50 PM
I had a fantastic week in NYC presenting my policy paper on online violence against women at the NCAFP Emerging Leaders Conference.
My paper focuses on online violence against women in politics and how this is a major barrier to women taking the step into politics.
My paper focuses on online violence against women in politics and how this is a major barrier to women taking the step into politics.
Also, saying that Irish people in NI aren't truly Irish is a perfect example of how toxic ethnonationalism is.
The definition of 'Irishness' keeps getting narrower:
It starts with immigrants.
It ends with LGBT+ people, disabled people, and anyone deemed 'other.'
The definition of 'Irishness' keeps getting narrower:
It starts with immigrants.
It ends with LGBT+ people, disabled people, and anyone deemed 'other.'
April 27, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Also, saying that Irish people in NI aren't truly Irish is a perfect example of how toxic ethnonationalism is.
The definition of 'Irishness' keeps getting narrower:
It starts with immigrants.
It ends with LGBT+ people, disabled people, and anyone deemed 'other.'
The definition of 'Irishness' keeps getting narrower:
It starts with immigrants.
It ends with LGBT+ people, disabled people, and anyone deemed 'other.'
Utterly disappointing & deeply ironic to see Irish people protesting immigration.
The Irish experienced centuries of ethnocide, oppression and devastation; our diaspora reaches every corner of the globe because while we were terrorised, persecuted & starved, we were able to immigrate
The Irish experienced centuries of ethnocide, oppression and devastation; our diaspora reaches every corner of the globe because while we were terrorised, persecuted & starved, we were able to immigrate
April 27, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Utterly disappointing & deeply ironic to see Irish people protesting immigration.
The Irish experienced centuries of ethnocide, oppression and devastation; our diaspora reaches every corner of the globe because while we were terrorised, persecuted & starved, we were able to immigrate
The Irish experienced centuries of ethnocide, oppression and devastation; our diaspora reaches every corner of the globe because while we were terrorised, persecuted & starved, we were able to immigrate
Happy Easter! 🌼
As we commemorate & remember those who fought for Irish freedom, let’s remember that Ireland’s freedom is only 1 among many struggles for freedom
Today let us not forget our brothers & sisters in Palestine, the women of Afghanistan and all other oppressed and colonised peoples 🇦🇫🇵🇸🇮🇪
As we commemorate & remember those who fought for Irish freedom, let’s remember that Ireland’s freedom is only 1 among many struggles for freedom
Today let us not forget our brothers & sisters in Palestine, the women of Afghanistan and all other oppressed and colonised peoples 🇦🇫🇵🇸🇮🇪
April 20, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Happy Easter! 🌼
As we commemorate & remember those who fought for Irish freedom, let’s remember that Ireland’s freedom is only 1 among many struggles for freedom
Today let us not forget our brothers & sisters in Palestine, the women of Afghanistan and all other oppressed and colonised peoples 🇦🇫🇵🇸🇮🇪
As we commemorate & remember those who fought for Irish freedom, let’s remember that Ireland’s freedom is only 1 among many struggles for freedom
Today let us not forget our brothers & sisters in Palestine, the women of Afghanistan and all other oppressed and colonised peoples 🇦🇫🇵🇸🇮🇪
I had a brilliant time this week at @slsauk.bsky.social (My first academic conference as a presenter!) at @liverpooluni.bsky.social ✈️
I presented a paper on feminist legal theory & connected with amazing scholars working on gender, sexuality & law ⚖️
Feeling inspired and ready to get back to work!📚
I presented a paper on feminist legal theory & connected with amazing scholars working on gender, sexuality & law ⚖️
Feeling inspired and ready to get back to work!📚
April 18, 2025 at 11:20 PM
I had a brilliant time this week at @slsauk.bsky.social (My first academic conference as a presenter!) at @liverpooluni.bsky.social ✈️
I presented a paper on feminist legal theory & connected with amazing scholars working on gender, sexuality & law ⚖️
Feeling inspired and ready to get back to work!📚
I presented a paper on feminist legal theory & connected with amazing scholars working on gender, sexuality & law ⚖️
Feeling inspired and ready to get back to work!📚
The biggest irony of gender *critical* "feminists" is none of them has ever had a critical thought in their life if they think Sex = Gender.
April 16, 2025 at 11:54 AM
The biggest irony of gender *critical* "feminists" is none of them has ever had a critical thought in their life if they think Sex = Gender.
I'm so disgusted at the Supreme Court ruling. Sending solidarity to all our trans sisters today.
I'm so tired of regressive, conservative 'activists' who pretend to be feminists, throwing one of the most vulnerable groups of women under the bus.
I'm so tired of regressive, conservative 'activists' who pretend to be feminists, throwing one of the most vulnerable groups of women under the bus.
April 16, 2025 at 11:50 AM
I'm so disgusted at the Supreme Court ruling. Sending solidarity to all our trans sisters today.
I'm so tired of regressive, conservative 'activists' who pretend to be feminists, throwing one of the most vulnerable groups of women under the bus.
I'm so tired of regressive, conservative 'activists' who pretend to be feminists, throwing one of the most vulnerable groups of women under the bus.
I wrote an overview of where we are in terms of women in politics for The Morrigan, part of the brilliant Doing Feminist Legal Work project. Looking at quotas, tools for getting more women into seats, and the remaining barriers women in political life still face.
dflw.ie/women-in-pol...
dflw.ie/women-in-pol...
Women in Politics in Northern Ireland - Doing Feminist Legal Work
The representation of women in political life is both a measure and a driver of equality in society. In Northern Ireland, the number of women in elected roles
dflw.ie
April 11, 2025 at 3:27 PM
I wrote an overview of where we are in terms of women in politics for The Morrigan, part of the brilliant Doing Feminist Legal Work project. Looking at quotas, tools for getting more women into seats, and the remaining barriers women in political life still face.
dflw.ie/women-in-pol...
dflw.ie/women-in-pol...
There is no sensible reason to oppose Irish language signs at the new Grand Central Station. I suspect, as usual, a loud minority of unionist politicians and 'activists' are out of sync with the majority of unionists, who know this is not a zero-sum game.
April 7, 2025 at 6:31 PM
There is no sensible reason to oppose Irish language signs at the new Grand Central Station. I suspect, as usual, a loud minority of unionist politicians and 'activists' are out of sync with the majority of unionists, who know this is not a zero-sum game.
Thank you to @sdlp.bsky.social , Harriet Brown & @sdlpwomen.bsky.social for inviting me to speak on a fantastic panel on women in politics in NI.
It was a pleasure to share ideas and experiences with @clairehanna.bsky.social, Doire Finn, and Catherine McDaid.
It was a pleasure to share ideas and experiences with @clairehanna.bsky.social, Doire Finn, and Catherine McDaid.
April 4, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Thank you to @sdlp.bsky.social , Harriet Brown & @sdlpwomen.bsky.social for inviting me to speak on a fantastic panel on women in politics in NI.
It was a pleasure to share ideas and experiences with @clairehanna.bsky.social, Doire Finn, and Catherine McDaid.
It was a pleasure to share ideas and experiences with @clairehanna.bsky.social, Doire Finn, and Catherine McDaid.
This was a beneficial and engaging workshop on political lobbying and campaigning by the wonderful Gráinne Walsh from Stratagem.
Looking forward to presenting my policy paper on online violence against women in politics in New York at the end of the month!
Looking forward to presenting my policy paper on online violence against women in politics in New York at the end of the month!
April 4, 2025 at 4:55 PM
This was a beneficial and engaging workshop on political lobbying and campaigning by the wonderful Gráinne Walsh from Stratagem.
Looking forward to presenting my policy paper on online violence against women in politics in New York at the end of the month!
Looking forward to presenting my policy paper on online violence against women in politics in New York at the end of the month!
The rhetoric around welfare & use of the term ‘handouts’ is so disappointing
Cutting welfare to raise gov’t funds is lazy, predictable & shameful
An astounding lack of creativity, leadership or integrity is on display from Labour.
This is *not* what the UK was asking for when they elected you!
Cutting welfare to raise gov’t funds is lazy, predictable & shameful
An astounding lack of creativity, leadership or integrity is on display from Labour.
This is *not* what the UK was asking for when they elected you!
March 27, 2025 at 1:02 PM
The rhetoric around welfare & use of the term ‘handouts’ is so disappointing
Cutting welfare to raise gov’t funds is lazy, predictable & shameful
An astounding lack of creativity, leadership or integrity is on display from Labour.
This is *not* what the UK was asking for when they elected you!
Cutting welfare to raise gov’t funds is lazy, predictable & shameful
An astounding lack of creativity, leadership or integrity is on display from Labour.
This is *not* what the UK was asking for when they elected you!
Wonderful to be invited to attend a fantastic discussion today at The Department of Foreign Affairs on women’s political leadership in Northern Ireland. The panel was amazing and represented women who have been involved in politics since the GFA and women who are more recently elected.
March 7, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Wonderful to be invited to attend a fantastic discussion today at The Department of Foreign Affairs on women’s political leadership in Northern Ireland. The panel was amazing and represented women who have been involved in politics since the GFA and women who are more recently elected.
It was also great to hear from Minister @nealerichmond.bsky.social and Lord Mayor of Dublin Emma Blaine at the women’s assembly launch. It’s encouraging to hear the minister discuss the importance of women in politics and prioritising Women, peace and security at home and abroad.
March 7, 2025 at 4:29 PM
It was also great to hear from Minister @nealerichmond.bsky.social and Lord Mayor of Dublin Emma Blaine at the women’s assembly launch. It’s encouraging to hear the minister discuss the importance of women in politics and prioritising Women, peace and security at home and abroad.