In celebration of international woman’s day that took place on the 8th of March 2023, this month’s story focuses on the cultural and political advancement of women. We look at an obligatory constitutional referendum in the Republic of Ireland, set to take place in November 2023, on removing "outmoded" references to a woman's place being in the home from the country's constitution.
Although the national policy for equality for women and girls in Ireland has as its vision to work towards: "an Ireland where all women enjoy equality with men and can achieve their full potential, while enjoying a safe and fulfilling life". Ireland`s constitution does not fully reflect this. There is evidence of this in Ireland´s recent constitutional history where Irish voters backed amending the constitution to repeal a ban on abortion, with 66.4 percent voting in favor and 33.6 against, according to the completed official count that took place on May 26,2018.
These Constitutional amendments are vital in because constitutions are the most authoritative expressions of States’ systems of governance and accountability and therefore pose potential opportunities for and threats to the advancement of gender equality. This referendum is important because any change to Ireland's 86-year-old constitution must be approved by popular vote. The country has held 38 referendums since the constitution was written in 1937.
A citizen's assembly on Gender Equality in partnership with the Special Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality recommended removing the references to a woman's place in the home and replacing them with non-discriminatory and gender-neutral language. In its final report to the parliament of the Republic of Ireland in June 2021, the recommendations were for amendments to Articles 40 and 41 of the Constitution. These were that:
- Article 40.1 of the Constitution should be amended to refer explicitly to gender equality and non-discrimination
- Article 41 of the Constitution should be amended so that it would protect family life, with the protection afforded to the family not limited to the marital family
- Article 41.2 of the Constitution should be deleted and replaced with language that is not gender specific and obliges the State to take reasonable measures to support care within the home and wider community.
The National Women's Council (NWC) had been campaigning for some time to have what it describes as "sexist language" taken out of the Constitution and replaced with a gender-neutral definition that enshrines the value of care.
The on-going debate on whether this constitutional act should be altered or removed should coincide with an understanding that it never functioned evenly and cohesively amongst women. The NWC argues that removing or altering it cannot be merely symbolic. The amended constitution should seek not just to reflect the current status quo, but to pave the way for "a very different Ireland" in which women and mothers from across the socio-economic spectrum have equal access to real options.
The Republic of Ireland declares for the enactment of the bills should be concluded by the end of September with a view of the referendum being held in November 2023.
