LW Conference Resolutions

Issued : Monday 19 October, 2009

LW National Conference 2009
Resolutions

Party Affairs : Women's Political Participation
Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Social Welfare
Justice
Equality
Health
Education
Older Women
Integration and Migrant Women
Childcare
Party Affairs : Women's Political Representation

1.
The Conference of Labour Women welcomes the efforts of the Party to increase the number of women candidates in local, national and European elections. In the 2009 local elections 22% of successful Labour candidates in city and county council elections were women, compared with the cross-party average of 16% women councillors. However this figure falls short of the Party's current target of 30% minimum representation of either gender.
Conference calls on the Labour Party to officially adopt proposals drawn up by Labour Women to assist with identifying potential women candidates and, wherever possible, to require a gender balance of candidates in areas running multiple candidates.
Dublin South East
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2.
Conference notes the low percentage of women being elected as public representatives and the necessity of creating and maintaining a source of funding to support women who run for election for the Labour Party.
Conference further notes the need to fund specific pathways for upskilling women where necessary to enable them to engage effectively as new candidates.

Conference calls for Labour Women Executive to :
a) Consider active recruitment and training campaigns, in particular to take advantage of the Internet skills base within the party.
b) Consider active fundraising specifically to advance the success of women election candidates.
Dublin South
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Enterprise, Trade and Employment
3.
That the economic crisis threatens work place gains (in particular, employment protection) made by women in Ireland (as elsewhere). In essence, current economic policies may have differential outcomes for women and men as generally women and men differ regarding their access to economic resources, their social responsibilities and so forth. Thus, these policies may have a disproportionately adverse impact on the socio-economic and cultural welfare of women (particularly those living in 'marginalised' communities').
Conference notes that although fiscal stimulus packages containing large infrastructure and public works projects are one of the more effective way's to reach a wide range of unemployed workers most of these jobs are in construction where 80-90% of jobs are held by men. Conference calls on the Government to make funding available in the areas of health, education and investment in small and medium scale business to create employment opportunities that would also create employment for women.

Cork South Central
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4.
Conference notes the dramatic increase in unemployment and the possibility, based on previous economic downturns, of women being made redundant, and in particular 'professional' women (i.e. women in professions that have required substantial investments in education) losing employment.

Conference calls on the Labour Women Executive to highlight the issue of women including professional women losing and being in danger of losing employment, and make contacts with groups working with professional women to work with them on this issue.
Dublin South
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Social welfare
5.
The Conference of Labour Women notes that women will be disproportionately affected by proposed budgetary cuts to child benefit and social welfare payments.
Conference further notes the commitment to eliminating inequalities between women and men contained in the EU Treaties and a commitment to gender mainstreaming of all Government policies contained in the UN Beijing Platform of 1995.
Conference therefore calls upon the Government to carry out a gender audit of all proposed spending cuts, in line with our international commitments to gender equality.
Dublin South East
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6.
Tackling women's poverty and inequality
Conference notes that women significantly rely on the state pension system as a result of not being in a financial position to invest in a private pension, and further notes the unfair dual taxation of an adult dependent pension in the situation where the couple is to married. Currently the dependent's pension is capitalised and the beneficiary has to pay inheritance tax and then in addition, pay income tax on the pension payment.
Conference recommends the removal of inheritance tax on adult dependant pensions.
A Sub-Committee on Older Women to draft a comprehensive policy on Older Women is to be formed.
Dun Laoghaire
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7.
Child benefit
Waterford Labour Women call on the Conference on Labour to condemn the recommendation of the Mc Carthy report which states that the rates of child benefit should be cut and simplified to give a 20% saving in the annual cost, and goes on to say that €100m in savings could come from revising and simplifying qualification criteria for the medical card. The human and real cost of this will be felt by the most vulnerable namely the 76,000 children that are already living in poverty in Ireland. The fact is that is modern Ireland, 1 in 5 children are living in households where the income is so low that they are at risk of poverty. If child benefit is reduced it will increase the risk of child poverty, if the principal of universality is removed from this payment women and children will be the worst effected and become the victims of bureaucracy and form filling This FF and Green Government has stated that they are committed to tackling child poverty. The national action plan for social inclusion, NAP Inclusion, according to them is to reduce the numbers of those experiencing consistent poverty, including children, to between 2% and 4% by 2012 with the aim of eliminating consistent poverty completely by 2016. However we believe that 'going after 'Child Benefit to safe money is not they way to cut Ireland out of this economic crisis. It is very simple the Poor simply can not pay and Conference calls upon the Government to maintain child benefit levels at the current level and calls upon the Parliamentary Labour Party to campaign for the maintenance of child benefit at current levels.
Waterford (James Connolly Branch Dungarvan)
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Justice

8.
Prohibiting the Purchase of Sexual Services in Ireland
Conference notes that the Labour Party is committed to the achievement of genuine equality between women and men in Irish society and notes further that a society that allows or tolerates the purchase of women's, and girls', bodies for sex is incompatible with our commitment.
Conference notes that one of the priority issues for Labour Women for 2008-2010 is combating violence against women and notes further Labour Women's commitment to demand that trafficking, prostitution and pornography are treated as violence against women and women trafficked, prostituted and involved in pornography are treated as victims.

Conference notes Labour Women's commitment to tackle issues of violence against women specific to migrant women, and recognition that migrant women have particular needs to be addressed in this regard.

Conference notes the contents of the report, "Globalisation, Sex Trafficking and Prostitution - The Experiences of Migrant Women in Ireland" commissioned by the Immigrant Council of Ireland, and its findings that migrant women and girls are being trafficked into this country for the purpose of sexual exploitation and further notes that a significant number of migrant women are being sexually exploited for profit on Irish soil.

Conference notes the severe physical and emotional harm experienced by trafficked women in girls and those exploited for profit in Ireland's sex industry.

Conference notes that Sweden has criminalised the purchase of sexual services with legislation that applies to those who pay for sexual relations and those who take advantage of casual sexual relations paid for by another person. Conference also notes that Norway and Iceland have introduced similar legislation

Conference calls on Labour in Government to introduce legislation prohibiting the purchase of sexual services in Ireland.

Dun Laoghaire
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9.
Conference deplores the Government's failure to implement the X case in Irish law and calls upon the Labour Party to introduce Private Member's legislation in line with its 2007 Fair Society Election Manifesto to legislate for the Supreme Court judgement in the X case.

Dublin Central
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10.
Conference notes that women who are victims of domestic violence seeking medical services through women's refuges sometimes find themselves in a situation, due to the medical bills being sent home, where the perpetrator of the violence discovers that the victim was seeking medical help. This may result in further violence inflicted on the woman.
Conference calls for a scheme providing free access to hospital and hospital-based services for women and children referred by women's refuges in the form of a medical card held by the women's refuge and used through the discretion of the women's refuge.

Labour Women Executive
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11.
Conference notes the low level of reporting of rape, and also the low level of prosecution and conviction rates. Conference also notes that there is currently a lack of investment in services for rape victims. Rape Crisis Centres are at risk of closing or reducing their services all over the country due to a lack of funding, leaving women with nowhere to turn at a time when they desperately need support. There is a need for a culture change across the criminal justice system to ensure that all rape cases are investigated fully.

Conference calls on the Labour Party to examine reasons for the low reporting of rape, and working in co-operation with Rape Crisis Centres, and to provide appropriate action to tackle the matter to ensure that there is an increase in the conviction rate.

Labour Women Executive
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Equality
12.
More Rights for Women with Disabilities
Conference notes
That the Labour Party is committed to the achievement of genuine equality between women and men in Irish society and notes that a society that discriminates against women with disabilities is not compatible with that commitment.
Conference notes
The opening for signature of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which has been signed but not yet ratified by Ireland and notes that Article 6 of the Convention recognises that women and girls with disabilities are subject to multiple discrimination and calls for specific actions to ensure that they can exercise and enjoy their fundamental human rights.
Conference notes
That there is a clear link between women, disability and poverty: disabled women most often poor because of their dependence on low levels of disability related welfare; that disabled women with intellectual disabilities are a particularly vulnerable group and services provided for them are under resourced; that costs in relation to personal assistance are the biggest single cost for women with disabilities and there are substantial additional costs as a consequence of being both disabled and having parenting responsibilities; that the onset of disability for women who are married/co-habiting has consequences in terms of exclusion from income supports, loss of benefits and the negative effects of means-testing.
Conference notes
That systems of care often create and sustain gendered inequalities and should be based on the needs of the person facilitating full independence and not a 'medical model'; that the personal assistance needs of women with disabilities as carers inside the household and outside the home need further recognition and adequate resources; that while both women and men with disabilities face numerous barriers to entering the labour market, the extra care responsibilities of women with disabilities combined with insufficient supports is a further hindrance to their labour market participation.

Conference notes
That many buildings still do not meet accessibility standards and the standards that are in place could be more prescriptive to the differing needs of people with disabilities. Hosting equipment in sanitary facilities in all larger buildings including complexes including public buildings, cinema, shopping centres etc is often inadequate or non-existent.
Conference recommends
Ireland sign without delay the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and establish an independent monitoring body to ensure its standards are implemented in Ireland and include women with disabilities and their representative organisations in that monitoring process.

Give priority to addressing issues related to the socio-economic position and security of women with disabilities irrespective of whether this position is based on employment or social benefits.

Universally designed buildings with proper hoisting facilities should be provided to all people. Sanitary facilities with hoists should be based on the recommendations of the British Standard BS8300:2009 in Design of Building and their accompanying code of practice for people with disabilities should be adopted.

Ensure that women with disabilities must be enabled to inform and monitor policy development and implementation to avoid gender bias.

Dun Laoghaire
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13.
Conference notes that over several decades the Irish state allowed the civil liberties of the women and girls in the Magdalene institutions to be violated, and made no attempt to vindicate the constitutional rights of these citizens.

The Magdalene women were imprisoned, abused, ill-treated and traumatised. Their freedom, identity, ability to make decisions or choices, their motherhood and their fundamental rights as free citizens, were stripped away from them. Inflicting any of those sufferings on a person, amounts to a gross violation of one's freedoms. Those responsible have no choice but to apologise. The state has to take responsibility for its inaction. The women need to know that they were the victims, not the wrong-doers. We need a dignified and fair way to give the Magdalene laundries closure.

Conference calls for a separate redress scheme for Magdalene women to be created.
Labour Women Executive
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Health

14.
Cervical Cancer Vaccine
Waterford Labour Women condemn the decision last year of the Minister for Health and Children and the present Government to withdraw the planned roll-out of the Cervical Cancer Vaccine for all 12 yr old girls in the State, to save a paltry estimated €10 million. This is in stark contrast to the recent announcement of the planned postcode allocation to all addresses in the country at a cost estimate of €12-15 million. This only highlights the priorities of our government - when it comes to postcodes versus women's and girls' health, the postcodes win the draw. The consequences of such short-sightedness may not be apparent for a number of years but it is indefensible if there is one death from a preventable cervical cancer.
Conference calls on the Labour Party to continue its opposition to the withdrawal of this vaccine programme and when in government to implement the roll out of the Cervical Cancer Vaccine programme as a priority

Waterford. (Lismore Branch)
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15.
Conference notes the unregulated sector of the infertility treatment in Ireland.

Conference also notes that Independent Senator Mary Henry, a member of the Oireachtas Committee on Health, introduced a Private Member's Bill in 1999, to establish a register of fertility clinics. The Bill made it to a second reading, but fell as it did not receive the support of government parties. There has been little political support, or public demand, for regulation of this area since then.Unlike Britain, where the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority regulates fertility clinics, services in Ireland have expanded without any licencing. In the meantime, couples and doctors will continue to work in what is becoming a legal and medical minefield. The only practical guidance is to be found in the Medical Council Guidelines which do not deal with the important legal consequences of assisted reproduction.

Conference reaffirms the commitment of the Labour Party to provide clarity on issues of human fertility.

Conference further notes the recommendations in the Commission of Assisted Reproductive Technology report.

Conference calls on the Labour Party to implement the recommendations in the Commission of Assisted Reproductive Technology report in order to regulate the infertility sector in Ireland.

Labour Women Executive
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Education

16.
Labour Women Conference calls on the Minister for Education, Batt O'Keeffe, not to suspend additional recruitment to the National Education Psychological Service (NEPS) or the Early Intervention Programmes in order to prevent a negative impact on children with intellectual disabilities by reducing access to assessments.

Tipperary North (Nenagh James Connolly Branch)
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Older Women
17.
Conference notes the economic and social vulnerability of older women and the lack of Labour Party policy specific to older women.

Conference calls on Labour Women Executive to take an active part in formulating Labour Party's policy on Older People, and to add a gender specific perspective to Labour's policy on Older People.
Dublin South
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18.
Conference notes the grave injustice done to Irish women by the marriage bar for the public and civil service which was in force in Ireland prior to 1973. Conference also notes this Government's withdrawal of the automatic medical card for older women aged over 70 years many of whom were affected by the marriage bar.
Conference calls on the Government to reinstatement the automatic medical card for all women affected by the marriage bar, and in the event that the Government fails to do this, calls on the Labour Party to adopt this as Party policy and ensure that it forms part of any future Programme for Government agreed by the Party.
Dublin Central
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Integration and Migrant women

19.
The Conference of Labour Women recognises the contribution immigration has made to Irish society. Conference also recognises the difficulties experienced by migrants, especially migrant women who frequently occupy positions in low skilled, low waged, informal and unregulated employment sectors.
Conference calls upon Labour Women to campaign for the rights and welfare of migrant women in Ireland.
Dublin South East
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Childcare

20.
Childcare subvention
Waterford Labour women are seeking clarity from the Minister for Health and Children regarding the free childcare places they are introducing in January 2010.
Today the average cost of keeping a child in full day care (40 hr) is 145 Euros of Which 100 euros is subvented by the Department, the department will introduce 15 hrs free childcare in January 2010 of which they will subvent 65 euros, we are seeking clarification as to who will subvent the remaining 25 hrs or will this have to be paid by the participants. This could increase childcare from 45 euros to 90 Euros for a lone parent.

We would also call on the minister to increase the free childcare from 15hrs to 20hrs to allow those who wish to return to education or a training programme to do so, all training and educational programmes run for 20hrs.

Waterford

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21.
Emergency resolution
That Labour Women call for the reinstatement of the Combat Poverty Agency as an independent research and policy advisory body on poverty, free from political party pressures. This should be part of the political programme when the Labour Party forms the next Government.

Sligo
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