Peter Martin said: “The DUP is committed to listening to the concerns of women across Northern Ireland, particularly regarding the protection of single-sex spaces. Our very positive meeting today with the Women’s Rights Network Northern Ireland focused on these vital issues, ensuring that women’s voices are heard and respected. We very much appreciated that this was their first ever formal meeting with a political party in Northern Ireland. There was genuine warmth and practical engagement by both sides.
We have already seen the aggressive dismissal of WRN’s concerns when they appeared before the Executive Office Committee. The attitude displayed by Sinn Fein, the Alliance Party, and the SDLP towards these genuine, common-sense concerns was nothing short of disgraceful. Women have the right to raise questions about their safety and dignity without being silenced or ridiculed.
We now have the bizarre situation where the First Minister refuses to answer even the most basic questions on the protection of single-sex spaces. This is an issue that affects women’s safety and privacy, yet Michelle O’Neill seems determined to avoid any meaningful discussion. That’s unsustainable.
The DUP will continue to be a strong advocate for women’s rights and the protection of single-sex spaces. We stand firmly for the basic, common-sense position that there are two genders, and we will not be deterred from defending these fundamental truths.”