A referendum on removing a clause in the Constitution that suggests a “woman’s place is in the home” will be held in November.
Cabinet on Tuesday agreed to hold the referendum on gender equality following a recommendation by the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality and the Special Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality. The news was confirmed by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Equality Minister Roderic O’Gorman on International Women’s Day.
It is envisaged that an inter-departmental group will be convened this month to develop policy recommendations to be considered by Government. The Government will agree on the wording of the proposed referenda by mid-May, with any and any required legislation to be published by the end June.
Read more: RTE and First Dates Ireland star Jordan Dunbar sadly dies aged 29
Campaigning would commence at the end of September with a referendum held in November. The Citizens Assembly on Gender Equality stated in June 2021 that Articles 40 and 41 of the Constitution should be amended.
This includes amendments that would refer explicitly to gender equality and non-discrimination. It further recommended that 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.
It also recommended altering Article 41.2 which 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 Committee recommended deleting this phrase and replacing it with language that is not gender specific and obliges the State to take reasonable measures to support care within the home and wider community.
As he announced his intention to hold the referendum, the Taoiseach suggested that the terminology in the constitution was old-fashioned. Mr Varadkar said: “For too long, women and girls have carried a disproportionate share of caring responsibilities, been discriminated against at home and in the workplace, objectified or lived in fear of domestic or gender-based violence.
“I am pleased to announce that the Government plans to hold a Referendum this November to amend our Constitution to enshrine gender equality and to remove the outmoded reference to ‘women in the home’, in line with the recommendations of the Citizens Assembly on Gender Equality.” While it is anticipated that a number of referendums, such as the right to water or housing, will be held shortly, it has not yet been decided if they will be held on the same day as the gender equality referendum.
READ NEXT:
Changed date for social welfare payments due to St Patrick's Day
Dublin’s inner city buzzes at success of ‘inspiring’ Barry Keoghan
Leo Varadkar declares he is landlord ahead of Government decision to end eviction ban
Kerry Condon says she watched Oscar nominations in her pjs with Colin Farrell
€145 million jackpot won as Irish players urged to check tickets
Sign up to the Dublin Live Newsletter to get all the latest Dublin news straight to your inbox.
