Irish citizens will vote in a referendum on whether or not to replace the so-called “woman in the home” clause in the Irish constitution. The other referendum would expand a reference to family by adding “whether founded on marriage or on other durable relationships.”
Irish citizens will vote in a referendum on whether or not to replace the so-called “woman in the home” clause in the Irish constitution.
This clause, which dates from 1937, specifies that: “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.” It goes on to say that: “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.”
Originally, the purpose of the provision was to acknowledge the importance of care in the home, which was then provided almost exclusively by mothers. The purpose was to ensure that mothers could remain in the home and would not be forced to work due to financial reasons.
However, the state help implied by the wording was never actually put into practice – women were never supported to provide care in the home. Worse, the constitution was often used to bolster arguments that a woman’s place was in the home and that policies which excluded women from work were acceptable.
Now, as part of a double referendum, Irish citizens will have the chance to change the constitution to a more gender-neutral wording.
‘The language is outdated’
The government has argued the language is outdated. “A woman’s place is wherever she wants it to be, whether that is in the workforce, in education, or in the home,” said the equality minister, Roderic O’Gorman.
The other referendum would expand a reference to family by adding “whether founded on marriage or on other durable relationships”. The existing wording offers constitutional protection only to married families. Same-sex marriage has been legal in Ireland since 16 November 2015.
The referendums were recommended by a citizens’ assembly on gender equality in 2021. Despite misgiving about the wording, Sinn Féin, the main opposition party, has signalled it will join other opposition parties in calling for a yes vote in both referendums.
Source: Conversation and Guardian