Irish Government Concedes Defeat in Referenda to Change ‘Sexist’ Language in Constitution
In a surprising turn of events, the Irish government has admitted defeat in two referenda aimed at amending what they deemed as “sexist” language in the constitution. The votes, which were intentionally scheduled to coincide with International Women’s Day, sought to replace two constitutional references that were considered outdated and discriminatory.
The first reference stated that the family unit was “founded” on marriage, while the second claimed that a woman supports the Irish state through “her life within the home.” Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, who had been a vocal advocate for the referenda, announced on Saturday afternoon that it was evident that both measures had not passed.
“I think it’s clear at this stage, that the family amendment and the care amendment referendums have been defeated,” Varadkar expressed during a press conference held in Dublin. Official results for both votes are expected to be announced separately later on Saturday.
Varadkar had passionately championed these referenda as an opportunity to rectify what he referred to as “very old-fashioned, very sexist language about women.” The aim was to amend the constitution to state that the family is based “on marriage or on other durable relationships.”
However, religious and socially conservative groups campaigned against these changes, advocating for a “No” vote. They took issue with the concept of a “durable relationship” and argued in favor of retaining the constitution’s original wording. Their concerns were particularly highlighted during a heated debate on RTE, where conservative campaigner Maria Steen clashed with Irish Deputy Prime Minister Micheál Martin. Steen insisted that “the reality is that the majority of women do the majority of work in the home.”
The Irish constitution, published in 1937, was heavily influenced by Catholic social teachings, according to legal scholars. However, in recent decades, the influence of the Catholic Church has waned, especially in light of numerous abuse scandals involving the clergy. As a result, Ireland has witnessed a series of referendums on various social issues, with voters consistently supporting progressive changes to the country’s constitution.
In 2015, Irish citizens overwhelmingly voted in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage, followed by a referendum three years later that ended the abortion ban. In 2019, divorce laws were also liberalized after another successful referendum.
The recent defeat in the referenda to change sexist language in the constitution marks a setback for those advocating for gender equality and modernization. However, it is important to note that Ireland has shown a remarkable willingness to address social issues through democratic means, allowing its citizens to shape the country’s future.
As this story continues to develop, further updates will be provided.