LW National Conference to celebrate 40 years of Labour Women
11 November 2011
Labour Women gather in the Mansion House for Labour Women National Conference on Sat 12th Nov to celebrate 40 years of Labour Women.
The Labour Party established a Women's Advisory Council in 1971, 40 years ago. At that time women played a minor role in Irish politics with 4 women TDs only in the Dáil, none of them Labour TDs. The marriage bar was still in place, divorce was illegal, women's earnings equalled about 57% of the male average reflecting the types of jobs women could get, and the first woman president was still 19 years away.
"At the urging of women activists, the Labour Party had the foresight to establish a body which would provide a space for women who were determined to change things" comments Katherine Dunne, Labour Women Chair.
"Today the Labour Party has grown to be a party where nearly 40% of membership is made of women, over a quarter of the Councillors are women and just over 20% of TDs are women. Through the lean years of the 80's when the Labour Party had no women TDs, the Spring Tide in 1992 which brought in a new crop of women and the 00's with a wider equality agenda Labour Women continues to be a place for women where they can work for more balanced politics.
"The improved situation should not distract us from the fact that women still continue to be seriously under-represented in Irish politics with a very low number of women in decision-making. Labour Women mark their 40th anniversary by celebrating the progress that has been made and reiterating their commitment to make Irish politics and political decision-making more balanced. With the change of Government we now have a commitment to increase the number of women political parties have to put forward for election. Fortunately we have politicians who are progressive and understand the complexities of why women in Ireland lag so much behind other countries in political participation. Labour Women would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the role played by these progressive politicians as it is because of people like them that we create true progress."
Amongst other topics, this year Labour Women members are debating motions dealing with distressed homeowners, tax credits for childcare, protection of self-employed women, care during pregnancy and birth, Magdalene laundries, 'fake' marriages and human trafficking.
Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore TD will address the Conference at 11.15am. Minister Joan Burton TD will open the afternoon session at 2pm. Senator Susan O'Keeffe will be chair the afternoon session when Cllr Mary Freehill, Cllr Niamh Bhreathnach, Cllr Emer Costello and Senator Ivana Bacik will take a look back at 40 years of Labour Women.
