Can 10,000 brown envelopes deliver change for women?

Published: Monday, May 16, 2005

The National Women's Council of Ireland (NWCI) put pressure on the Government today (Tuesday, 17th May) to end the discrimination against women in the social welfare system by delivering 10,000 brown envelopes to Minister for Finance, Brian Cowen TD.

The delivery marks the launch of the NWCI's 'Brown Envelope Campaign' for Social Welfare Reform.

The NWCI's 'Brown Envelope Campaign' is demanding structural changes to the social welfare system, to enable women to have a greater independent access to income. Each brown envelope contains a letter, which outlines the changes needed to the social welfare system to make it more equitable for women. By signing the letter demanding these changes, thousands of women around Ireland have shown their anger and frustration at the unfairness of the social welfare system, that reinforces poverty and inequality for women. Many of these women, along with other national organisations, marched to the Department of Finance to deliver these letters.

'Women have contributed substantially to the creation of Ireland's wealth by juggling paid employment with unpaid care work; yet the structure of the social welfare system has not changed to accommodate women. This is not sustainable for society or desirable for women and their families. Today marks the first time that all organisations representing women around the country are standing in solidarity on this issue ' stated Orla O'Connor, Head of Policy at the NWCI

'The NWCI and our affiliates are deeply concerned at the Irish Government's continued lack of recognition of women in the Irish social welfare system' stated Ms O'Connor. 'The numbers of women who have signed letters to Minister Cowen signifies the strength of feeling amongst Irish people and the urgency for reform of the system' she continued.

'The problems in the social welfare system affect everyone in unpaid care work, part-time and atypical workers, lone parents and people who are dependant on spouses for income; the majority of whom are women' outlined Ms O'Connor.

The NWCI is calling on Minister Cowen to work with the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Seamus Brennan TD and the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Micheal McDowell TD to:

• recognise and value women's care work;
• provide adequate pensions for women; and
• - accommodate women's atypical employment patterns.

Minister Brennan has already met with the NWCI, prior to today's launch and has acknowledged the unfair treatment of women within the social welfare system. In this meeting Minister Brennan committed to making changes in Budget 2006 to address this issue. 'It is particularly crucial that Minister Cowen and Minister Brennan work together to ensure that resources will be allocated for these changes in Budget 2006' explained Ms O'Connor.

'Budget 2006 must make a real difference to women's lives' insisted Ms O'Connor.

'Women have been invisible and voiceless in the social welfare system for long enough. Today over 10,000 women are saying 'NO MORE'.'