On March 8, International Women’s Day, Ireland will hold a referendum on gender equality. Two clauses of the Constitution will be put to the vote, which define a woman’s place as home. Euro-pulse.ru reports this.
Article 41.2 of the Constitution states: “By her life at home, a woman provides support to the state, without which it is impossible to achieve the common good” and “Mothers should not be forced by economic necessity to engage in work, neglecting their responsibilities at home.”
In 2021, the Citizens’ Assembly for Gender Equality drew attention to these provisions, calling them outdated. The Irish Government agreed that such language does not reflect the realities of modern society.
It is proposed to replace them with gender-neutral phrases that will apply equally to all family members, regardless of gender.
Any changes to the Irish Constitution must be approved by a popular vote. Since the adoption of the Constitution in 1937, the country has already held 38 referendums.
