President Higgins: ‘All of society is flawed if gender violence is allowed to occur’

All of society loses when there is gender inequality, President Michael D Higgins said as he hosted a celebration of the role of men in advancing women’s rights.

“All of society is flawed if gender violence is allowed to occur; is tolerated; and if an intolerable silence prevails around this grave issue,” President Higgins said.

The President and his wife, Sabina, who hosted the event at Áras an Uachtaráin have been life-long campaigners for women’s rights and equality.

Sabina has supported Safe Ireland’s Man Up campaign to encourage men to challenge domestic violence.

Last year President Higgins agreed to become Champion World Leader of the UN Women HeforShe campaign that seeks to encourage men to support gender equality.

President Higgins said the HeforShe campaign showed how everyone could contribute to change: “It presents a unique opportunity to realise the dream of a truly equal world in which the relationships between the genders is one of mutual support, equality and respect.”

Chief executive of Safe Ireland Sharon O’Halloran said the root of all violence was what happened in the home and the home was not an island.

However, it is our culture and attitudes that allows domestic violence to continue as a largely undocumented, under-reported and unprotected crime in Ireland.

“We must address our culture and attitudes because they affect the ability and confidence of most women to report violence and seek help.”

Ms O’Halloran said it is critical that men stood with women as allies against domestic violence — an issue that is deeply rooted in inequality.

Broadcaster Ryan Tubridy, an ambassador for the Man Up campaign, said that talking “in the abstract” about domestic abuse was losing sight of the reality that it was “a blow to the head”.

Mr Tubridy recalled speaking to a woman some years ago about the domestic abuse she suffered at the hands of her husband after coming home from a night out with her friends.

She was beaten black and blue after telling him she did not want the dinner he had prepared because she had already had something to eat with her friends.

“She spoke on the airways and suddenly stopped being hidden,” said Mr Tubridy, who said he wanted to help give more women like her a voice.

President of business lobby group Ibec Gerry Collins, was one of number of male leaders from large national organisations who pledged support got the HeforShe and Man Up campaign.

“Our voices are in this conversation and we are with you to make the change that is required,“ said Mr Collins.

Singer Hozier sang ‘Cherry Wine’ which is a song about the complexities of domestic abuse. All the money raised from sales will goto domestic violence services around the world, including Safe Ireland.