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In this era of scientific breakthroughs, particularly with the emergence of artificial intelligence, one would reasonably expect parallel gains in women's rights and other human rights. However, as I turn to YouTube each day and tune into the news, I'm greeted by the spectacle of a MAGA clown of a former president, grumbling and blustering during breaks in his criminal trial.
Amidst his rants, I can't help but notice how the rhetoric of his supporters often undermines the progress of women's rights, casting shadows of regression over what should be an era of advancement.
Amidst these complexities, there arises a pressing question: Will technology rise to the occasion and protect women's rights, or will it succumb to the encroachment of MAGA-influenced policies? With the rise of digital platforms and data analytics, there is a growing concern that technology companies could play a role in monitoring and policing women's reproductive choices.
Algorithms and data-driven systems could potentially be used to track individuals' online activities, flagging those seeking information or support related to abortion services. This raises significant ethical and privacy concerns, as it could infringe upon women's autonomy and privacy rights.
In this article, I delve into the reasons why technological innovation has not necessarily advanced women's rights, by drawing comparisons between MAGA World policies in the United States and traditional practices in some Muslim communities. Through this personal analysis, I aim to uncover how distinctly different cultural and political landscapes shape the discourse on gender equality.
This exploration not only highlights the stark contrasts but also the surprising parallels that explain the persistent challenges and slow progress in the realm of women's rights.
Historical Context
The women's rights movement in the United States has a rich history that dates back to the 19th century, marked by pivotal moments such as the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848 and the enactment of the 19th Amendment in the 1920s, which secured women the right to vote. Over the decades, the movement has broadened its scope to include issues like reproductive rights, equal pay, and gender equality across various domains of life.
Similarly, in Muslim-majority countries, the quest for women's rights has also seen considerable progress, deeply influenced by both Islamic teachings and local cultural traditions. Efforts in these regions have primarily focused on enhancing legal rights, educational opportunities, and political participation for women, often within the larger fabric of social and political reform.
The approach to women's rights within the Republican Party in the United States has seen significant evolution. Early figures in the party, such as Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, were instrumental in the women's suffrage movement. However, the party's stance on women's rights has shifted over time, reflecting changes in political ideologies and social movements.
In traditional Muslim societies, the evolution of women's rights reflects a dynamic balance between Islamic principles and cultural practices. While some Muslim-majority countries have achieved notable advances in areas like education and employment for women, challenges persist, particularly in legal rights and achieving full gender equality.
These developments underscore the complex and evolving nature of women's rights, influenced by a confluence of historical, cultural, and political factors.
MAGA Impact: Women's Rights Revisited
Under the banner of the Trump lead MAGA movement, the former US Republican Party has outlined a series of policies and positions impacting women's rights. These policies span a range of issues including abortion, healthcare, employment, and education, often underpinned by a strong emphasis on traditional family values and individual freedoms.
In healthcare, MAGAs have pushed for measures that restrict access to abortion

Nine in 10 (90%) Irish executives anticipate a medium to high impact to their organisation's business processesin the next three years as a direct result of generative AI chatbots, with almost two in five (39%) reporting it as transformational change, according to Accenture's annual Technology Vision Report for 2024.
Accenture's Technology Vision 2024: "Human by Design: How AI Unleashes the Next Level of Human Potential", which is run across 20 countries and 21 industries, revealed that 97% of Irish executives agree that the capabilities of AI are expanding, moving from assisting to acting independently. Almost all, 99%, of executives agree that making technology "more human" will massively expand the opportunities of every industry.
The findings reveal that while Ireland is making strides alongside its global counterparts when it comes to technologies such as AI and Gen AI, Irish businesses have been slower to adopt other technologies and trends featured in the report, such as spatial computing and body sensing technologies.
While 84% of Irish executives agree that spatial computing will be used to build enriching experiences, providing a realisticalternative or enhancement to in-person experiences, a higher 92% globally believe this to be the case.
Consumers are even further behind in terms of adopting spatial computing, with only 36% saying that they would be interested in it to learn and develop new skills and less than three in 10 (29%) interested in using it to shop, compared to an only slightly higher 33% globally. Spatial computing blends digital content with the physical world in natural way. Virtual reality (VR) is a type of spatial computing.
When it comes to body sensing technologies, while it is clear that the technology has the capability to be transformative, with AI-powered wearables, brain-sensing neurotech and eye and movement tracking, there is some concern around the ethics. 66% of Irish consumers agree that in order to gain trust, organisations will need to develop responsible guidelines on biometric privacy and neurotech ethics and standards.
Austin Boyle, Head of Technology at Accenture in Ireland commented on the findings: "Irish businesses have been leveraging AI at scale for some time now and continue to see its value as it becomes even more "human". That said, what we are seeing amongst our clients, is that as a country we are still behind when it comes to the adoption of cloud in Ireland, which in turn is inhibiting the integration of other innovative technologies, including Gen AI.
"By fully adopting cloud and Gen AI, we can lay the foundations for the next wave of AI technologies that can be leveraged by Irish businesses, which include spatial computing and body sensing technologies.
Globally, spatial computing mediums have already begun to close the physical-digital divide to enable simultaneous activities in multiple spaces and body sensing technologies are raising the bar when it comes to understanding people's behaviours and intentions, making it particularly useful for customer service of the future.
"In order to gain a competitive advantage, Irish businesses must prioritise integration and adoption early and receive training from the C-suite down, to fully capitalise on the new technologies which have the potential to completely revolutionise Irish business. We are excited to see the opportunities that will present themselves once organisations heed to this."
Further findings from Accenture's Technology Vision Report 2024 revealed:
99% of Irish executives agree that generative AI will compel their organisation to modernise its technology architecture.
98% of Irish executives agree that AI agents will begin to collaborate with other agents to accomplish organisational tasks.
99% of Irish executives agree that leveraging AI agent ecosystems will be a significant opportunity for their organisation in the next 3 years.
100% of Irish executives agree that the way we interact with data will cha

Sustainability has become a central focus in many workplaces, especially environmental sustainability, with businesses striving to make their offices more energy-efficient or eco-friendly. In 2021, the UN reported that the tech industry was responsible for 2-3% of global carbon emissions and this figure is expected to rise in the future. Tech environments, such as data centres, use staggering amounts of energy and unfortunately, this cannot be avoided all that much.
However, it is possible for tech environments to adopt a more sustainable method of operating by looking at other elements of environmental sustainability and making wiser decisions. A more eco-friendly workplace can have many benefits, including reducing the negative impact your business could be having on the environment, minimising any unnecessary waste and even cutting costs!
Why Sustainability is so important
There are many ways your tech business can become more 'green' and by making small changes, this is quite achievable. With these five easy steps, you can make a significant change in your workplace and do your bit to make a difference.
1. Reduce power used by numerous devices
In many workplace settings, there will be numerous electronic devices switched on all at once, even when they're not in use and this is certainly the case in every tech company! Unfortunately, your devices can still consume electric power when they are switched off. This is often known as 'vampire power' and will happen when your electrical devices are still plugged in.
So, to try to conserve some energy, it is best to either switch the device off at the powerpoint, or to disconnect it from the powerpoint completely. If this is something that is possible to do without your company, then it should be encouraged. Not only will you save electricity, but you'll also reduce the chance of an electrical fire!
Do you have separate devices for printing, scanning, copying and faxing in your workplace? Another way you can reduce energy consumption is by trading in these devices for an all-in-one printer! These multi-functional printers combine all of these functions into the one device, which will reduce your energy consumption in the workplace as you will only be running one machine at a time.
Most of these printers also have a sleep mode or automatic power-off function, meaning you will save energy when they are not in use. By replacing a number of machines with an all-in-one printer, you can minimise your carbon footprint, make some space in your office and reduce the overall energy consumption of your tech business.
2. Switch to energy-efficient lighting
Something as easy as choosing an alternative type of lighting can also help promote sustainability in a tech environment. Switching to LED (light-emitting diode) lighting is an ideal way to make your workplace more energy-efficient, as LED lights consume up to 90% less energy than traditional lighting. These types of lights create less heat, therefore consuming less energy and having a smaller impact on the environment.
LED lights also have a longer lifespan, so they won't have to be changed as often as incandescent or halogen lights and you will save money in the long-run! Some LED lighting fixtures have a built-in motion detector feature, which will help your workplace become even more energy-efficient, as the light turns off when the area is unoccupied.
Cold or natural LED lights are the most appropriate lighting for any tech business, as they are usually glare-free and are proven to be easier on your eyes. By switching to LED, not only will you become more sustainable, but you'll also improve the mood, energy and workflow in your workplace! Good lighting is crucial, and LED is the best option for energy-efficiency and productivity.
3. Recycle as much as possible!
It goes without saying that you should recycle as much as possible in any work environment to try to reduce your carbon footprint and become more sustainable. Recycling is p

Longford County Council has announced the launch of 'Perfectly Located Longford', a new investment brochure aimed at attracting businesses to County Longford. The brochure was launched by Longford County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Colm Murray, joined by the elected members.
Available to read at LocalEnterprise.ie/Longford, 'Perfectly Located Longford' offers a roadmap to help businesses see how to successfully set up or expand into County Longford. Included within the brochure are inspiring local business success stories and information on business supports.
It also profiles County Longford and some of the advantages businesses benefit from, including its central location, excellent road and rail network, lower cost of doing business and access to an educated and skilled workforce.
Local launches also took place across the county with the Municipal District (MD) Cathaoirligh joined by local businesses: C&D Food with Ballymahon MD Cathaoirleach Cllr Paul Ross, Avery Dennison with Longford MD Cathaoirleach Cllr Martin Monaghan, Kiernan Milling with Granard MD Cathaoirleach Cllr Turlough McGovern. All the above businesses are also profiled in 'Perfectly Located Longford'.
'Perfectly Located Longford' is part of a wider strategy to promote County Longford to investors both nationally and internationally. This work is already well underway, with County Longford representatives promoting the county at St Patrick's Day celebrations in New York.
Speaking following the launch, Longford County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Colm Murray said, "Perfectly Located Longford profiles the many advantages there are for entrepreneurs and companies which come to Longford to do business. It also profiles the many inspiring business success stories we have as a small county punching well above its weight in terms of our thriving local business community.
I hope this new brochure can inspire and show the way forward for future investment into County Longford."
Longford County Council Chief Executive Paddy Mahon said, "The Council is very much pro-business and always responsive to the needs of our business community and new investors. I encourage businesses to consider Longford by taking a look at 'Perfectly Located Longford' and arranging to speak to or meet with our team in Longford Local Enterprise Office, who are ready to help investors looking to set up or expand into County Longford."
For further information, check out www.localenterprise.ie/longford and follow the Local Enterprise Office and Longford County Council on social media to stay up to date on all there is to do in County Longford.

The annual Guaranteed Irish Tech Forum took place with a panel of four female leaders in the tech industry with non-tech backgrounds. 'Unveiling Unconventional Paths within the Tech Sector' was the theme for this year's event and the non-techie panel gave interesting insights into why their backgrounds are key to the success of their roles in tech.
AI is the hot topic in tech today and the panel see it as an opportunity for businesses but also cautioned against rushing into using it as a sole strategy.
Maureen O'Rourke, Head of Digital Transformation Programme at An Post spoke of their recent experience in the area:
"In March we undertook a trial using Open AI so customers could generate a St. Patrick's Day card. This was really well received and the customer feedback is now helping us inform new product development. There can be a rush to explore the opportunities of AI but it is an enabler for better service to our business and personal customers and not a strategy in itself".
Innovation is crucial to every role and Susan Moss, Head of Public Policy & Government Relations for TikTok discussed how TikTok innovates while maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements and cybersecurity best practice.
"TikTok is the only platform to engage a third party European security company to independently audit our data controls and protections, monitor data flows and provide independent verification".
With their varied professional backgrounds, the panel discussed the importance of leveraging non-tech experience within a tech role. Gina Laverty, CFO at Viatel Technology Group said no matter what industry you are in, people are the secret to success
"In relation to harnessing and developing talent, it's crucial that the company's purpose and the employee's vision line up. Eliminating the hierarchy creates an appealing culture for attracting and retaining staff. Ensuring growth of the employee's personal mindset will also lead to growth of the business".
Chloe Murray, Blacknight advised how digital empowerment bridges the gap between business and technology and how to grow your digital footprint: "Smaller companies need to have an online presence, it's what consumers have come to expect from businesses of all sizes. Having a website and being online builds that extra layer of trust"
On the topic of AI, Chloe said we're all using AI without realising it "It has benefits in removing mundane tasks but it's only as good as the information it is given and human intervention is necessary".
As part of its 50th anniversary Guaranteed Irish is celebrating Tech Month with a mix of homegrown indigenous members and international businesses to discuss opportunities achieved through leaning into 'outside the box' thinking, diversity and innovation.
The Guaranteed Irish Tech Forum was sponsored by Blacknight and MC for the event was Ann O'Dea, CEO & Founder of Silicon Republic, Ireland's leading tech news service.
See more stories here.

To mark International Girls in ICT Day, Microsoft is hosting a virtual Dream Space event for primary school students across Ireland to inspire them about the opportunities unlocked through STEM and emerging technologies, such as AI.
The unique event will be streamed live from Microsoft Dream Space and feature learning sessions delivered by two fifth-class Dream Space Student Ambassadors from Alexandra College, Dublin, to peers across the country. Every primary school across the island of Ireland is invited to join the free event on Thursday, 25th April, between 10 am and 12 noon, with the programme suitable for primary school students from third to sixth class (RoI) or P4 to P7 (NI).
Teachers can register at the following link to reserve a place for their class.
The immersive event will provide an engaging discussion on the importance of strong women role models in STEM and include an interactive educational experience for students to enhance their STEM skills.
'Leadership' is this year's Girls in ICT Day theme, which closely aligns with the aims of Microsoft's Dream Space Ambassador Programme, which is focused on advancing STEM leadership amongst young women. The programme helps students develop leadership and digital skills while promoting STEM education within their schools and communities. More than 1,300 Dream Space Ambassadors have graduated from the programme to date, representing 159 schools across the island of Ireland.
Each Ambassador completes a series of virtual training sessions during the academic year as part of the programme, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to become STEM leaders in their local community and support, train, and mentor other students and teachers about the benefits of STEM.
The Ambassador programme is one of many that Microsoft Dream Space offers as it strives to provide almost one million students enrolled in primary and secondary schools across the island of Ireland with the opportunities to learn and develop the STEM and AI skills they will need to become the digital leaders of tomorrow.
Since its launch in 2018, over 100,000 girls across Ireland have engaged with Dream Space, helping to encourage more young women to consider a career in STEM.
Dream Space is one of a number of education and skilling programmes that Microsoft is delivering as part of its ambition to 'Skill Up Ireland', providing people of all ages, experiences and backgrounds with the opportunity to upskill for an AI-enabled future.
James O'Connor, Microsoft Ireland Site Lead and Vice President of Microsoft Global Operations Service Center, said: "At Microsoft, we believe it's crucial that everyone has the opportunity to thrive in the workplaces of tomorrow. With women currently comprising less than a third of the ICT workforce in Ireland, it's clear that we need to inspire change among the next generation of the workforce and encourage more young women to consider a career in STEM.
"As an industry leader, we believe we have an important role to play in helping to educate young women from a diverse range of backgrounds and communities about the opportunities provided by STEM and provide them with pathways to develop the digital skills to forge a successful career in technology.
That's why we continue to expand and strengthen Microsoft Dream Space, our ambitious programme that is providing every student across the island of Ireland with the opportunity to engage in STEM learning. Since its launch, over 100,000 girls have engaged with the programme, providing an important avenue for more young women to engage with digital technologies and empowering them to consider a career in STEM.
"This week's live Dream Space event recognises Girls in ICT Day and provides the opportunity for students across the length and breadth of the country to engage in and enjoy a STEM focused lesson and start to develop the skills that will be essential for tomorrow's leaders. I would encourage every primary school across the country to