Two referendums are set to amend the Irish Constitution to redefine the term “the family” and the role of women within it. Irish citizens will vote on the 8th of March, International Women’s Rights Day. Currently, marriage is the only foundation of family in Ireland, but the proposed changes would recognize unmarried couples, cohabiting families, and single parents as forming a family. The second referendum aims to redefine women’s place in the home, ensuring state support for all carers, not just women.
Critics argue that the referendums could create legal loopholes by not defining new family-related terms precisely enough, while the Labour Party supports them to recognize current family realities and eliminate sexist and outdated language. The Irish Constitution, drafted in 1937, reflects more conservative values guided by Catholic principles. However, Ireland has been modernizing its approach to women’s and minority rights, legalizing abortion in 2019 and same-sex marriage in 2015.
Although the issues in the two referendums are seen as less controversial than abortion or gay marriage, they mark an important step towards recognizing diverse family structures and providing support for all carers in Ireland. The results are eagerly awaited on Saturday morning, with the potential for significant changes in how families are defined and supported within the country.
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