4 Generations of women 4 Lisbon

Issued : Monday 28 September, 2009



Four women representing four generations highlighted the positive impact the EU has had for the women of Ireland. Former Senator Mary Henry, Joan Burton TD, Senator Ivana Bacik and Cllr Maria Parodi each spoke about their confidence in the EU being good for women.



"When the EU told Ireland that we must have equal pay for men and women, it was greeted with horror. Surely we couldn't afford to pay women the same as men? Well, the women - or to be more precice the Housewives of Ireland - decided to go to Brussels and fight this case. To have money they had to get a small loan - in those days the women needed her husband to get the loan. But they went to Brussels, they wone, and women got the eqyal pay. That fight gave women confidence", said former Senator Mary Henry.



"The EU has been a progressive force in womne's lives", said Labour Deputy Leader Joan Burton TD. "Local women's groups got EU funding, and the whole idea of a social Europe started to exist. The EU has produced progressive policies. Do women still remember when their husbands had to sign the child benefit book? I am asking women to vote YES to nesure that we can continue to benefit from the progressive policies of the EU."



"Parental Rights Directive 1996 is a concrete example of the type of polcieis that the EU has brought to Ireland, to womne's benefit", said Senator Ivana Bacik. "Responsibilities of both parents is something we still need to work on, but this EU Directive has certainly meant progress."



 



"The EU has paved the way for us for the last 30 odd years. Lisbon is an opportunity to chnage to modernize the way the EU works. The Charter of Fundamental Rights is very important and will become legally binding with Lisbon. I urge young women to vote YES", said Cllr Maria Parodi.