Two referendums propose amending the Irish Constitution to redefine the family and the role of women within it. The Irish are symbolically called to the polls on March 8, International Women’s Rights Day.
Marriage is currently considered to be the sole foundation of the family in Ireland, but this may soon change. Other relationships considered “enduring” could also make their way into the country’s Constitution.
Thus, unmarried couples, heterosexual or homosexual, as well as cohabiting families or single parents would be constitutionally recognized as forming a family.
The place of women in question
A second referendum also plans to redefine the place of women in the home. At present, the Constitution guarantees women that they do not have to work outside the home if it “contradicts their duties in the home” – without further defining this notion of duties.
The article in question recognizes the national utility provided by the work that married women perform in their homes, including the care provided to members of their families.
If the change is adopted, the article would be amended to recognize the usefulness of caregivers generally, and to provide state assistance aimed at all Irish people in this situation, not just women.
Modernize Ireland
For its detractors, the two referendums would create legal loopholesin particular by not defining new terms linked to family precisely enough.
The Labor Party supports both referendums, deeming them necessary to recognize all current family realities, and to remove language considered sexist and outdated about women and mothers.
The Irish Constitution was put in place in 1937, when the country was guided by more conservative valuesbased on the principles of the Catholic religion.
Long behind its European neighbors, Ireland has recently modernized regarding the rights of women and minorities.
Until 1973, the state prohibited married women from working in the public service, effectively forcing them to resign if they married and to devote themselves to their home.
The use of voluntary termination of pregnancy (abortion) has been legalized for all Irish women in 2019, when it was until now one of the strictest in Europe, authorized only in cases of serious and imminent danger to the life of the pregnant woman.
In 2015, the Irish legalized referendum on marriage for same-sex couples.
The questions surrounding these two new referendums, however, interest public opinion less than those concerning abortion or gay marriage. Results are expected Saturday morning.