ROSA (organisation)
ROSA | |
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| Founder | Ruth Coppinger |
| Founded | 3 March 2013 |
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ROSA, also known as ROSA International Socialist Feminist Movement, is a communist feminist organisation based in Ireland that was founded on International Women’s Day, 8 March 2013.[1][2] It was established by members of the Trotskyist Socialist Party such as Ruth Coppinger with the aim of campaigning for reproductive rights, gender equality, and broader social and economic justice. The organisation is named in honour of Rosa Parks and Rosa Luxemburg,[1] although it sometimes uses the backronym "Reproductive rights, against Oppression, Sexism and Austerity".[3]
ROSA is a member of the International Socialist Alternative, an international association of Trotskyist parties and organisations.[4] In 2018 the Socialist Party denied accussations that ROSA is a Trotskyist front designed to allow the Socialist party to control the feminist movement in Ireland.[5]
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ROSA gained attention in Ireland through direct action campaigns, such as the "abortion pill bus" tours and public demonstrations calling for the repeal of the Eighth Amendment, which restricted access to abortion in Ireland.[6] ROSA played a role in the broader pro-choice movement leading up to the 2018 referendum that legalised abortion. ROSA has also campaigned in Northern Ireland, where in May 2018, they staged a direct action outside Laganside Courts in Belfast. During the protest, three ROSA activists publicly took abortion pills in defiance of Northern Ireland’s strict abortion laws. The event was held to draw attention to the lack of abortion access in the region and to call for legislative reform.[3]
Beyond reproductive rights, ROSA has campaigned on issues including gender-based violence,[7] workplace inequality, LGBT rights,[8] and housing. In June 2024, ROSA protested in support of Natasha O'Brien and her case against a Defence Forces soldier who assaulted her. ROSA criticised what it described as a misogynistic judicial system after her attacker received a suspended sentence. The group organised a demonstration outside Limerick Courthouse during Judge Tom O'Donnell’s final court sitting before retirement, and joined wider protests taking place across multiple Irish cities.[9]
In late November 2024, ROSA organised a protest in Dublin to express solidarity with Nikita Hand, who had recently won a civil case against MMA fighter Conor McGregor.[10] The demonstration, which coincided with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, aimed to highlight systemic issues in how gender-based violence is addressed in Ireland and to support survivors of sexual assault. Participants marched through the city, chanting slogans and carrying banners denouncing victim blaming and calling for justice.[11]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Ruth Coppinger (31 May 2023). "ROSA Socialist Feminist Movement Ireland & abortion rights victory 5 Year Anniversary". Retrieved 13 May 2025.
On International Women's Day, 8 March 2013, ROSA was formally established. Members of the Socialist Party who had been active in the abortion rights movement saw the need for an active, unapologetic, pro-choice organisation to campaign for Repeal.
- ^ "ROSA". Irish Left Archive. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
- ^ a b Ferguson, Amanda (31 May 2018). "DUP says it will not be 'bullied' into changing abortion stance". Irish Times. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
- ^ "ROSA". internationalsocialist.net. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
- ^ "Defending ROSA & a combative Socialist Feminist approach". socialistparty.ie. 28 June 2018. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
- ^ Hennessy, Michelle (28 October 2018). "Pro-choice activists (and one TD) swallow abortion pills in Dublin". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
- ^ Young, David (8 January 2023). "Demonstration against gender violence held in Dublin". Irish Independent. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
- ^ "Here's What Happened Today: Valentine's Day". TheJournal.ie. 14 February 2025. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
- ^ Sassone, Erika (25 June 2025). "Limerick and Galway continue to protest in support of Natasha O'Brien this week". Irish Independent. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
- ^ Plynton, Niya (25 November 2024). "'Believe Survivors' march in support of Nikita Hand to take place in Dublin this evening". Hot Press. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
- ^ Sherlock, Cillian (25 November 2024). "'This really hits home, it's like a kick in the guts' – hundreds march in solidarity with 'incredibly brave' Nikita Hand". Irish Independent. Retrieved 13 May 2025.