Sir, – I welcome the news (November 9th) that the Dáil has agreed to establish a special committee on gender equality. The committee will be tasked with examining recommendations from the Citizens’ Assembly on gender equality.
The Citizens’ Assembly was established in 2016 to consider several political questions including the Constitution.
Some of the Constitution areas that have received significant votes of support within the assembly are, to insert a new clause into Article 40 to refer explicitly to gender equality and non-discrimination (96.6 per cent in favour); replace the text of Article 41.2 with language that is not gender specific and obliges the State to take responsible measures to support care within the home and wider community (80.9 per cent in favour) and amend Article 41 to protect private and family life, beyond the marital family (98.9 per cent)
The areas above alone, if achieved through this new committee, would pave the way for real change in Ireland, to balance the blessings, opportunities and diversity of home and family life which many men have missed out on due to social and cultural norms for years.
– Yours etc,
MONICA MURPHY
Co-chair, Fine Gael
Women’s Network,
Tallow, Co Waterford.