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The Order of Lambrick Park

The Order of Lambrick Park

Tonight in my home town in Canada I was awarded the Order of Lambrick Park, an award that 'recognizes and honours Lambrick Park alumni who have made significant contributions or achievements since graduation'. My beautiful dad, Bob, accepted the award on my behalf,...

Speaking Out: A 21st Century Handbook for Women and Girls – an extract

Speaking Out: A 21st Century Handbook for Women and Girls – an extract

My 11th book and 2nd work of non-fiction, Speaking Out: A 21st Century Handbook for Women and Girls is officially out today. Why Speaking Out? Why a handbook? And why now? This book arose partly from the shocking statistic that worldwide fewer than 1 in 4 people we hear from or about in the media is female…

Online threats are not free speech

Online threats are not free speech

This abuse, it must be stressed, is not a matter of free speech. It is a matter of public safety and law. Threats of death, rape or other physical harm are illegal online, just as they are offline. Likewise, it is against the law to encourage a person to harm themselves.

A Feminist Honour In The Name of Edna Ryan

A Feminist Honour In The Name of Edna Ryan

On Friday I was honoured to be the recipient of an Edna Ryan award for making a significant contribution to feminist debate across a number of issues, for speaking out for women and children including those in war zones and in poor and developing societies and inspiring others to challenge the status quo.

The Rise of the Syrian Child Bride

The Rise of the Syrian Child Bride

Today is the International Day of the Girl Child, celebrated annually on October 11 to highlight issues concerning the gender inequality facing young girls, including child marriage. Rates of child marriage have risen sharply and in some cases doubled in Syrian refugee camps. I recently visited Syrian refugees, aid workers and gender-based violence experts in Lebanon, the country hosting the largest ratio of refugees per capita in the world, to learn more.