NWCI calls on Justice Committee to recommend Citizens’ Assembly on Care

Published: Wednesday, September 19, 2018

NWCI has called today on the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice and Equality to recommend the establishment of a Citizens’ Assembly type public consultation to consider constitutional and legislative options in relation to Article 41.2 on women in the home.

In her presentation to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice and Equality, Orla O’Connor, Director of NWCI said,

“A public conversation is necessary so that the referendum debate can be informed and the issues surrounding the article can be explored and concrete proposals developed which the Government can act on and be held to account. We need a clear pathway with real outcomes for women, informed by public discussion.”

“We all know that Article 41.2 has been little more than symbolic. Its placement in the Constitution should have led to recognition of the value of the contribution women make through unpaid care work in our society. 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.”

She continued,

“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.”

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For more information, please contact Silke Paasche, NWCI, Tel. 085 858 9104, silkep@nwci.ie