Ireland is poised to vote on International Women's Day to remove constitutional references on the importance of a woman's "life within the home," the latest attempt to update its socially conservative 1937 founding document.

Dublin

Ireland has announced plans to hold a referendum on International Women’s Day to decide whether to amend references in its constitution that have been criticized for being sexist. These references pertain to the role of women, specifically emphasizing the importance of a woman's "life within the home." This move is part of a broader effort to modernize the country's constitution, which was originally ratified in 1937 and reflects values that many now consider outdated in light of contemporary social standards.

The referendum aims to address and possibly rectify the aspects of the constitution deemed socially conservative, especially regarding gender roles. The focus on revising this particular section underscores Ireland's ongoing commitment to reassessing and updating its foundational legal document to better align with current societal values and gender equality principles.



Ireland votes to remove 'sexist' references in constitution

Ireland voted on Friday to remove references to a woman's life within the home from the constitution. Its socially conservative 1937 founding document says, quote, that by her life within the home, woman gives to the state a support without which the common good cannot be achieved. Social change in the once deeply Catholic state has spurred the removal of bans on abortion and same-sex marriage. Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar held the vote on International Women's Day as a chance to delete what he called very old-fashioned, very sexist language about women. Director of Ireland's National Women's Council, Eula O'Connor, was out canvassing for a yes vote in central Dublin. We're taking a piece out of the constitution that is about limiting women's lives. It's a sexist piece and it needs to come out. And also, putting in a value and recognition of care gives a moral and a political obligation on the state to support care. And that's what we want to see and that's what we'll be calling for very strongly after this referendum. Another clause due to be replaced says the state shall 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. Historically, until 1973, single women had to resign from their jobs once they got married, and married women were disqualified from applying for vacancies. Still, many others intend on voting no, including education worker Sinead McCourt. So I'm considering voting no, no, no, because of the lack of clarity around the durable relationship. I'm just concerned about the ramifications in the future and I'm not happy that we wait until it's defined by the courts. And the second reason is I would like to see the amendment, the second article challenged in the courts, of course, before we go and change the amendment. Many campaigners who oppose the amendment argue that the replacement wording saying the state shall strive to support care provision would enshrine care as a private responsibility and not a state one.

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