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SUBMISSION TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL
CONVENTION
FEBRUARY 2013
TOPIC: THE ROLE OF WOMEN/WOMEN IN POLITICS
Who Are We?
The Union of Students in Ireland is the national representative
organisation for over 200,000 students in Ireland. We have over 30
affiliated students’ unions across the country.
The Union of Students in Ireland is an inclusive organisation that
values equality and diversity.
One of our visions is an Ireland where there is equality between all
genders.
What does our Constitution say?
Article 41:2.1
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 Union of Students in Ireland (USI) believes that symbolism is
powerful. We believe that article 41 symbolically excludes women
from life outside of the home. The current article places a symbolic
limitation on women and implies that there is no life for women
outside of the home. USI strongly rejects the implications that this
article has in terms of implied gender roles and its contribution to
gender stereotyping in Ireland. Gender stereotyping is restrictive for
all members of society. USI believes that this article is not reflective
or in touch with 21st century life in Ireland.
USI believes that the Constitutional Convention should advocate for
a deletion of this article as it stands but USI also recognises an
opportunity exists to replace it with a newly worded, gender neutral
article which emphasises the importance of care work as set out in
points below.
What can the Constitutional Convention do?
USI recommends:

that the wording of Article 41.2.1 should be deleted

A newly reformed article to make an inclusive gender neutral
statement about the importance of care work carried out by
all genders could be created

the newly reformed article should be broad and emphasise
that care work occurs not just within the home, but within
broader communities all across Irish society

the newly reformed article should convey that care work and
caring for each other is for the good of everyone in our
society
Key Issues:
The Union of Students in Ireland is currently running a series of
seminars on the topic of ‘Women in Society.’ The purpose of the
seminars is to generate discussions on 3rd level campuses around
issues of gender equality and what it means to be a woman in
Ireland today. Below are some quotes from the seminars which took
place in University College Cork and University College Dublin.
How we use language to describe gender is powerful and
symbolic:
‘language matters – how you describe and encourage women
matters’
‘There is a difference in language that we use to describe the
same traits for men and women’
Attitudes to parenting roles and equal parental leave are
issues that need to be addressed:
‘Equal parental leave should be given’
‘Once I had my first child, I realised I was a second class citizen –
seen as no more than a vessel’
Female representation is valuable and should be
encouraged:
‘What does it say to women if all your (Students’ Union)
sabbatical officers are men when there are over 50% women in
the university?’
‘We’ve (women) always been strong but not necessarily been
given a platform in public domain’
‘There are deficits of perspectives in male-dominated politics’
Under-representation of females in public life in Ireland –
the Facts
In 2012, a comprehensive research piece was conducted by a group
of UCC students and the USI Gender Equality Officer – ‘An
Examination of Female Participation within UCC Students’ Union’.
UCC Students’ Union had 21 sabbatical officers between the years
of 2007-2012, 18 of which were male and just 3 were female. This
issue of under-representation is often replicated across Students’
Unions in Ireland. Currently there are just 5 female Students’ Union
Presidents in our member Students’ Unions in the Republic of
Ireland, comprising 21% of total Presidents. 9 of our member
Students’ Unions in the Republic of Ireland have no elected female
sabbatical officers.
The following two comments from the study highlight the
importance of self visualisation, role models and the need to tackle
public perception on issue of ‘gender roles’.
‘Another factor brought to our attention through our research is
that there is a subconscious psychological issue affecting a
woman’s decision to run; women frequently do not consider
entering political roles because they simply cannot visualise
themselves in those roles, as it is harder for them to see
themselves in a role that is usually occupied by a man rather
than a woman. This again affects a woman’s perceptions of her
own achievability and attainability of a role’
‘Our historical power structures have always had men at the
forefront of politics and in all dominant roles in our patriarchal
societies, which means that the belief that men are better leaders
is inherent in people’s thinking even if they are completely blind
to it.’
The issues of female under-representation are evident in
most areas of public life in Ireland:

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only 25% of the 166 Dáil seat are held by women
Women account for just 16% of the members of local
authorities
The Republic of Ireland ranks 109th position out of 190 nationstates in a global league table of women’s parliamentary
representation and 23rd place amongst 27 EU member states
Men comprise 8 out of 10 Boardroom positions (OECD)
Women comprise less that 4 our of 10 voices on Irish news
and current affairs broadcasting
Women earn on average 17% less than men in Ireland
Just over half of women with children are in employment.
Three quarters of men with children are in employment.