Issues Related to Women
Labour Women have given priority to the following areas affecting women :
- Women's political participation : Implementing of the Commission on Women's Participation in the Labour Party Report
- Economic issues for women
- Violence Against Women
- Sharing and valuing care work
- Accessible health service
Labour Women work in the Labour Party to bring issues affecting women into policy area. As most issues affect women, we aim to bring the women's perspective into all policies. Labour Women recognise the unequal power relations between men and women, and work to bring down barriers women face in society. We aim to change the system rather than change the women.
WOMEN IN POLITICAL DECISION-MAKING
'Only 15 % of our TDs are women. Men make our laws and represent us. Women's needs are not met unless women are part of the decision-making process. We know the diversity of our needs. Women are the experts of their lives and need to be able to voice and act on those needs.'
'Labour Women want more women to make political decisions. We want more women Councillors and TDs. We are actively identifying and promoting women to stand as candidates in elections. We are also working in the Labour Party to make it easier for women to become candidates.'
X Political power seems to be in someone else's hands than women's
V Labour Women are working to bring more women into politics
X There are not enough women representing us
V Labour Women will work to have structures put in place which will make all political parties have more women candidates
X Women are active in the community but not active in politics
V Labour Women are approaching women in all walks of life to run as candidates, join Labour Women and have a political impact
X Politics is not relevant enough to women
V Everything in our lives is political : price of heating, public transport we use, number of teachers in our schools, visits to our GP - Labour Women are working to bring politics to women
X Political parties don't promote women
V Labour Women are the most visible political women's group in Ireland working for women
WOMEN AND POVERTY
'In Ireland women continue to fare worse than men do in terms of accessing income : 23% of women are at risk of poverty compared to 17% of men. Women are paid 14% less than men. Women's caring role continues to be undervalued (99% of people working in the home are women). 62% of lone parents are unemployed, lack of affordable and accessible childcare being a major reason. Half of our older women live on low incomes.'
'Poverty does not disappear by itself. Only political will can eliminate poverty. In economic boom times there should not be poverty, yet 15% of our children experience poverty. In other wealthy countries such as Denmark or Norway child poverty is less than 3%. Investment in childcare, education, early intervention in family supports, public transportation and comprehensive health care are all part of tackling poverty.'
X Lone parents cannot afford to work due to high childcare costs
V Free pre-school for one year for all children, early years' subsidies for young families and state intervention in childcare
X Healthcare is too expensive
V Medical cards for 40% of the population
X 15% of our children experience poverty
V Investment in childcare, early development and education, and early intervention for family supports
X School costs cripple families in September
V Back-to-school assistance, better use of used school books
X Families on low budgets struggle
V Ensure Family Income Supplement reaches those in need
X Women have no transport to get to work or childcare
V Better public transport and more cycling lanes
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
'Violence against women (VAW) includes domestic violence, rape, prostitution, trafficking, female genital mutilation, pornography and any form of violence that happens because the victim is female. Our legislation creates the basis for dealing with VAW and has to be kept up-to-date. Our legal process is still not adequate to protect women. Frontline services deal with the reality of VAW and must be properly funded. It is us and our daughters who might need those services. If domestic violence and rape are underreported, it means violent individuals are free to continue being violent.'
'VAW affects all women. 1 in 5 of us experience violence in the hands of our partner. Rape is a fear that follows us everywhere. Our children must be protected from sexual violence just as we do. Prostitution, pornography and trafficking must be banned to protect all women. Our State is responsible for protecting our women and young people from violence. VAW is a serious crime and must be treated as such.'
X Is VAW taken seriously?
V Political leadership to take VAW seriously
X Our legal process does not protect us adequately
V Reforms in legal process and making sure cases proceed
X Frontline services are under-funded.
V Ringfence funding for VAW sector
X Number one reason for not leaving a violent relationship is 'having nowhere to go'
V Funding for women's refuges and housing
CHILDCARE
'In Ireland we have not invested in childcare. This is why childcare is expensive, it can be hard to find, it is largely unregulated and not all children can access pre-school. Investing in our children is investing in our future. All children deserve a good start with quality pre-school. Parents deserve time with their children when they are young. Families from disadvantaged backgrounds deserve support when they most need it. Children experiencing poverty need childcare support to assist their families. Childcare should be a right, not a privilege.'
'Investing in our children and young families benefits us all. Those paying for childcare and working in childcare should not be punished but supported. Supporting our young families will create a better Ireland.'
X Childcare is too expensive
V Keep free pre-school for one year for all children
X Working parents don't have enough time with their children
V Right to 3 years' career break and right to part-time work
X Maternity leave is too short
V One year's maternity leave
X It is difficult to find childcare
V Expand childcare places including state-run facilities
X I want a childminder - where can I get one?
V Childminders' register
X Childminding isn't a viable career
V Tax-breaks and training for childminders
X Childcare provision is unregulated
V Register of childcare facilities and providers.
WOMEN AND HEALTH
'Health care is not just about treating illnesses but also about preventing illnesses. Women need breast and cervical cancer screening to prevent them from finding out too late. Women need to have information and support in healthy life for themselves and their families. Poverty, smoking and obesity affect our women's health, and those have to be tackled. We have to be healthy to stay healthy.'
'Our young people have to be given drugs prevention supports before it is too late. Sexual health education can prevent future problems. Children's safety in the home, on the roads and in play prevents accidents. Health care is about investing in our health, and staying healthy.'
X Breast Check is not nationwide
V Ensure Breast Check on target and available to all women
X Private smear tests are expensive
V Keep up cervical cancer screening
X There is a link between poverty and health
V Medical cards for 40% of the population
X Depression and mental health affect women more than men
V Community care and investment in mental health
X Women suffer from stress
V Supports in employment, childcare, family and health are all needed to manage stress
X GP hours not adequate
V Local Primary care centres for easy access
X Obesity affects our women and children
V Primary care centres with dieticians together with health education. Safe walking/cycling lanes.
X Smoking kills our women
V Smoking cessation supports
X Women care about their health but we don't always know how
V Well-women clinics for advice and easy access.
WOMEN'S COMMUNITY ACTIVISM
'Women's community education is a form of adult education which can have a huge impact on women's lives. It can literally transform women's lives. 30,000 women are involved in women's community education. Women learning also benefits their families, children and communities. Women in education create learning communities.'
'Women's community education is different from mainstream adult education. It understands women's needs. Childcare, suitable course content, timetable and social supports are all part of women's community education. To exists funding in women's community education needs to be secure. To flourish women's community education needs to be valued.'
X Women's community education is not valued enough
X Recognizing women's community education as part of adult education
X The ethos of women's community education is not understood
V Recognizing women's community education as a distinctive area of adult education
X Funding is difficult to source
V Direct funding line from Department of Education
X Funding is not secure
V Secure funding line from Department of Education
X Is women's community education quality education?
V Recognizing and enhancing Quality Assurance Framework
