8 March, International Women’s Day, marks an important day to change old and outdated language in Ireland’s constitution.
International Women’s Day, held annually on 8 March, is a day which celebrates women’s achievements and promotes women’s rights and gender equality.
In Ireland, however, this will go a step further now that plans are in place to hold two referendums, which will see changes to an “outdated” constitution which displays “sexist” language and references to gender inequality. Here’s the latest story.
International Women’s Day Referendum – changes to an outdated Irish constitution
Ahead of ongoing pressure urging the government to “get with the times”, it was agreed that two referendums would occur on International Women’s Day 2024.
The Irish constitution, which features old-fashioned language, is set to have certain words and phrases removed and others rewritten to promote gender equality, the definition of family, and the changing roles of women in society.
The constitution, which dates back to 1937, when Ireland was a very different place for women, features references to women’s place in the home and the expected duties that come with it.
It’s apparent that plenty of people believe that it is about time this change came into play; Tracy Carroll from County Meath said, “Women have been challenged their whole lives,”.
The full-time carer added, “Their place in society is seen as being in the home and looking after the children and our husbands, and we’ve moved from that, but the constitution hasn’t moved from that, and a woman’s place is anywhere she wants it to be”.
On the other hand, a recent poll revealed that 70% of women who do not work at home said that if they had the option, they would stay at home.
Brenda Power, a barrister and ‘No’ campaigner, argued that recognising women’s work in the home is not demeaning in the slightest.
She stated that “the work women do in the home is fantastic… can’t argue with that. I don’t consider the work women do in the home is demeaning. The reality is that women are still the ones doing it”.
Deleted words and progressive phrases – what changes are to be expected
Unsurprisingly, the language of the 1930s era has changed dramatically to modern-day, but even more so when it comes to inclusive and gender-equal topics.
If the referendum succeeds, there will be a few notable changes to the current Irish constitution, some of which have been deemed “sexist”, even though ‘No’ voters argue that the constitution merely focuses on recognising the work that women do, not that their workplace is solely in the home.
For example, Article 41.2 of the Irish constitution reads, “The state recognises that by her life within the home, woman gives to the state a support without which the common good cannot be achieved.
The state shall, therefore, endeavour to ensure that mothers shall not be obliged by economic necessity to engage in labour to the neglect of their duties in the home”.
Government officials agreed that this type of language is indeed outdated, “sexist”, and in dire need of a change.
In the newly revised constitution, we can expect to read more inclusive terms, redefining the definition of a family and changes to language referring to “women in the home”.
Article 41.2 is to be reworded, “The State recognises that the provision of care, by members of a family to one another because of the bonds that exist among them, gives to Society a support without which the common good cannot be achieved, and shall strive to support such provision”.
An unknown outcome – voters still undecided
While it may be agreed that Ireland’s eagerness to move forward and become a more progressive country is to be admired, 35% of voters are still undecided, leaving a question mark over the potential results of both referendums.
On the one hand, ‘Yes’ voters believe that “sexist” and “stereotypical” language has no place in the Irish constitution. In contrast, ‘No’ voters believe that using terms like “durable relationship”’ will bring about its own problems, which the government does not foresee.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar agrees that a ‘No’ result in the double referendum will be a “step backwards” for Ireland, adding that this would be “a value statement about what we stand for as a society”.
Both The Family Amendment and The Amendment on Care are due to be held tomorrow, Friday, 8 March 2024, a day that could change the course of Irish history forever.
