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“Women in Irish Society - how far have they come?”

“Women in Irish Society - how far have they come?”. Prof. Anne Flynn 03/01/2005. Traditional Irish Greeting. A chairde. Tá áthus orm bheith anseo libh agus mo bhuiochas libh as an fáilte a thug sibh dom. . Why do women need to connect in a global world?.

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“Women in Irish Society - how far have they come?”

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  1. “Women in Irish Society - how far have they come?” Prof. Anne Flynn 03/01/2005

  2. Traditional Irish Greeting A chairde. Tá áthus orm bheith anseo libh agus mo bhuiochas libh as an fáilte a thug sibh dom.

  3. Why do women need to connect in a global world? Over 25 years ago the United Nations set the scene fairly concisely “Women constitute half the world’s population, perform nearly two-thirds of its work hours, receive one tenth of the world’s income and own less than one hundredth of the world’s property”

  4. Structure • National History • Feminism & the Suffrage Movement • Public & Private Morality • Shift in Public Perception • Women in the Workforce & Business • Women in Politics & Decision-Making • State & Private Support for Women • Equality • Closing Remarks

  5. National History • In 1900, Ireland was a central part of Great Britain. • In 1916 - GPO uprising, War of Independence • In 1923 - Irish State. Controversial Treaty, gained its independence even though six counties in the north remained part of Great Britain. • Emigration. Economic Growth 1980’s

  6. Feminism & the Suffrage Movement • The Irish Women’s Movement - split along militant and non-militant lines, unionist and nationalist lines. • 1914 - women activists lobbied government to provide women police - First Ban Gardai 1958. • Joint Committee of Women's Societies & Social Workers in 1935 - 'A Plea for Equal Pay for Women'

  7. Feminism & the Suffrage Movement • 1937 Irish Constitution clearly defined women's gender roles “death knell of the working women” • 1971 Irish Women’s Liberation - 47 members took “contraception train” from Belfast to Dublin • Forced onto the Irish public a frank discussion about women’s sexual and political rights

  8. Public & Private Morality • Catholic Social Teaching • Health (Family Planning) Bill 1978 – “contraception by prescription” • Abortion - extremely controversial and legally complex issue. • Divorce Referendums 1986 & 1995 • Constitutional changes for women have allowed women in Ireland more freedom in their gender roles.

  9. Shift in Public Perception • Election of Mary Robinson to the Irish Presidency in 1990. • Ireland’s first female president, a distinguished lawyer and a seasoned campaigner for the liberalization of divorce and contraception law. • Ideal representative of the new modern and progressive Ireland

  10. Women in the Workforce & Business • 1974 - An Anti-Discrimination (Pay) Act. In 1992 Irish women received less than 70% of male earnings. • Married women in the workforce • The Celtic Tiger relied on women’s labor and more families now rely on two wages. • “Women and Men in Ireland 2004” gender report published by the CSO.

  11. Women (15-64) 55.3% in 2003, above the EU 25 average of 55%. (Men 74.7% well above EU 25 average of 70.8%) EU Childcare Provision. Women (20-44) 87.2% - women with no children to 52.4% for women youngest child aged 3 or under. Rate rose 63.6% youngest child 6 years or over. Employment rates

  12. Principal Economic Status of Women

  13. Women Occupation

  14. Women in the Workforce & Business • Fertility Rate: 1951 (6.0 children) 1993 (dropped 1.90) 2002 (increased 1.97) while the EU average (decreased 1.46) • Childcare Problems • Women Graduates: Education & Health and Welfare • Women Directors (5%) & very few women CEOs of large companies

  15. Women Entrepreneurs • 15% of Irish entrepreneurs are women • Strong gender imbalance: (3.7%) female vs. (12.5%) male • Comparison with the US - another 56,000 women entrepreneurs • (DKIT's) Centre for Entrepreneurship Research (EU funded 'ProWomEn' project)

  16. Women in Politics & Decision-Making • 2004, 13.3% Women TDs in Dáil Eireann Below EU 25 average (22.1%) • History: Constance Markievicz, Mary Robinson, Mary Harney. • European Parliament 13 (5 Women) • Irish Civil Service 68%, lower levels • Strategic Plan 2002-2005: NCWI increase % women in decision-making to 30% in key sites by 2005

  17. State & Private Support for Women • Network Ireland - mission is to “promote, support and develop the position of women in business.” • ‘Captains of Enterprise’ program Limerick City Enterprise Board • ‘Women in Business Mentoring Program’ - leading by example • “Giorraionn beirt bothar”

  18. Equality • Most Modern Equality Legislation in Europe • Equality Act & Equal Status Act • National Plan for Women 2002 • Inequalities in women's place in Irish society? • Gender mainstreaming,

  19. Closing Remarks • Women in History Month • Rightful place in areas of society, new opportunities in education, business, employment & politics • President’s Award Scheme – Gaisce “Go raibh maith agaibh go léir.”

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