NWCI calls for public discussion on care

Published: Friday, October 19, 2018

NWCI has called for a public discussion on care and care work before a referendum on Art. 41.2 of the Constitution on 'women in the home' should go ahead. The public discussion could take the form of a Citizens Assembly and provide an opportunity to reflect on the best way to recognise care and care work in the Constitution but also through legislation and policy. The Government had initially proposed a simple deletion of the clause. 

The Joint Oireachtas Committe on Justice and Equality held a number of hearings in relation to Art. 41.2 and is currently preparing its recommendations.

Speaking to the Committee, Orla O'Connor, Director of NWCI said, 

"In practice Article 41.2 has not supported the home or family, it has merely diminished women. There is also no disagreement regarding the sexist language in Article 41.2. However, once we move on from the sexist language and the positioning of women in the home, our discussions around Article 41.2 move quickly to the complex choices and challenges that many of us face every day. These issues relate to our understanding of family and home, the roles of women and men, economic supports for parents and work life balance and the contribution of care and carers.”

“This is why we are asking the Committee to recommend the establishment of a Citizens’ Assembly type public consultation to consider a combination of constitutional and legislative change that recognises the importance of care. It will be crucial that enough time and resources are provided to help the public understand the proposed changes and their implications before any referendum.”

Current wording of Art. 41.2.: 

"In particular, 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.

"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."

Read NWCI's OpEd in the Irish Times