With the abortion referendum in 2018, we saw a rise in women in politics with the likes of Ruth Coppinger, who was a vocal supporter of the Repeal movement. In the 2020 general election, Coppinger continued to stand up for women’s rights.
The Solidarity-People Before Profit TD recently shared a video outlining how women’s rights are still under threat, as the abortion rights legislation will be reviewed in two years’ time. She wants to fight to make sure that the measures brought in by repealing the Eighth Amendment still stand.
Ailbhe Smith, the co-director of pro-choice group Together for Yes said “She has been a superb advocate for women, women’s rights and specifically the repeal of the Eighth Amendment. I worked with her all during the campaign. I saw the work that she did for the joint committee. I saw how fearless she was-how she spoke up on behalf of all us women in this country.”
In a video shared on Coppinger’s Facebook page, one woman said “She’s not afraid to bring up the difficult issues in the Dáil,” which was clear when she disputed the underwear of a young woman being passed around court as a form of evidence during her rape trial.
Coppinger also wants to introduce LGBTQ+ inclusive sex education and trans healthcare. Coppinger wants equal pay for equal work, a rise in wages for childcare workers, better mental health funding, climate change and affordable housing.
Coppinger’s supporters particularly boast how she represents young people and many are campaigning to re-elect her. Coppinger understands the biggest struggles of young people which is climate change, housing and health issues.
On Primetime this week she said, “There is no way that we can deal with climate change unless we take radical economic change as well.” She supported Greta Thunberg by saying that “it’s something that Greta Thunberg would have been pointing out that – that yes you, you put pressure on political leaders…”
Ireland needs more people like Ruth Coppinger, who are not afraid to call out some of the biggest political leaders for the issues they have created and allowed to happen.