The National Women’s Council of Ireland is urging the Government to ensure a referendum on the woman’s place in the home is not held in October.

The council is calling for the proposal to undergo a public discussion – through a forum like a Citizens Assembly or Constitutional Convention – before going to the people.

NWCI director Orla O’Connor said the language which is currently in the Constitution referring to a woman’s ‘life in the home’ and ‘duties in the home’ is “undoubtedly sexist and discriminatory and, in practice, has been little more than symbolic.”

“While there is no place for such sexist language in our Constitution, NWCI and our members believe that the referendum should not happen before first listening to the voices of women and men in all their diversity,” she said.

Public conversation

She said a public conversation is needed so the debate can be “informed” with concrete proposals developed that the “Government can act on and be held to account over.”

“The forum should consider what we want to see in our Constitution and in addition, go beyond that to what we need in legislation, policy, and investment to facilitate the women and men [making] real choices regarding care, family and paid work.”

The referendum was originally expected to be held on the same date as the Presidential Election and the referendum on removing the reference to blasphemy in the Constitution.

However, in July, the Oireachtas Business Committee agreed that the Bill allowing for the referendum on deleting the reference to a woman’s place in the home required pre-legislative scrutiny.

Home care

Activists had called for the clause to be amended rather than deleted – with a gender neutral clause potentially included in its place.

A meeting of the Oireachtas women’s caucus found a “variety of views” on the issue – with some representatives warning that it is essential that the Constitution recognises those that give care in the home.

“If a simple deletion of Article 41.2 is put to the people, we are only offering the option of removing an old-fashioned definition of the home and women’s role in society, and we are missing this unique opportunity to express the positive contribution of equality in the home, care and work of all kinds,” said Ms O’Connor.

“This will mean considering issues that NWCI has long campaigned on – providing comprehensive family leave, including maternity leave, paid paternity leave and a period of well-paid parental leave; investing in publicly subsidised, quality, affordable childcare; and providing recognition for care through a universal pension system.”

The Business Committee sent the Bill forward to the Oireachtas Justice Committee for consideration.

The committee is due to meet on the issue tomorrow.