Irish voters reject referendum that sought to change ‘sexist’ language in the constitution

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A dual referendum in Ireland on redefining family and women’s roles in the constitution has been “comprehensively” defeated.
The result came despite the fact that the government – and most opposition parties – had supported the proposed changes.
Prime Minister Leo Varadkar had pitched the vote, held on Friday to coincide with and counted on Saturday, as a chance to delete some “very old-fashioned, very sexist language about women”.

What changes did the referendum seek and how voters voted

The reforms had been intended to widen the definition of the family and clarify language about the duties of women in society that was considered outdated.

All the major political parties had supported a “Yes-Yes” vote and until recently polls had suggested a smooth passage for both.

The votes were seen as the latest attempt to reflect the changing face of European Union member Ireland, and the waning influence of the once-dominant Catholic Church.

Referendum Ireland said on Saturday night that 67.69 percent of 1.021 million voters had rejected the amendment on family.

Irish Politics: Referendums On Family And Care

Ireland’s Electoral Commission came under fire for not supplying a referendum information book to all households in Ireland. Credit: Andy Gibson/Cover Images

The change proposed expanding the definition of family from those founded on marriage to also include “durable relationships” such as cohabiting couples and their children.

The vote on care had aimed to replace old-fashioned language around a mother’s “duties in the home” with a clause recognising care provided by family members to one another. That was rejected by 73.9 percent of voters.

“No” campaigners argued the concept of “durable relationship” was undefined and confusing and that women and mothers are being “cancelled” from the constitution.

Why the referendum was ‘defeated comprehensively’

Varadkar said the referendums had been “defeated comprehensively” on “a respectable turnout”.

Irish constitution referenda

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar concedes defeat in the vote over two constitutional amendments. Credit: Damien Storan/PA

“I think we struggled to convince people of the necessity or need for the referendum at all, let alone detail the wording,” the Irish leader conceded.

“That’s obviously something we’re going to have to reflect on into the weeks and months ahead.”

Peadar Toibin, the leader of the only parliamentary party to back a “No-No” vote – the conservative Aontu party – welcomed the result as “a significant victory”.

Two referendums to amend the constitution on the family and role of women

“No” posters are seen in the street outside Goverment buildings in Dublin. Source: AFP / Paul Faith

The government “sold these amendments as if they were progressive and kind of virtue-signalling changes to the Constitution”, he said.

“In reality, there was very little if any net benefit to people in terms of bread-and-butter support.”

Niall Slaughter, a 40-year-old bank worker from Dublin, said he voted for the family amendment but not for the care amendment due to the poor wording of the question.

“I voted No for the second one because of the way it is worded, not that I think a woman’s place should be at home, just because it should have been more simple and straightforward,” he said.

Caitriona Behan, 55, an adult education worker said that while there was a need for a change, she felt that “politicians didn’t explain the reason to change the constitution well enough”.

‘Cannot be complacent’

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald told reporters the government had failed to convince voters to vote “yes” by not consulting with the opposition “or with other stakeholders.”

“People were left with an unbalanced decision to make and I think it’s a great pity that the government went on this kind of solo run, and they’ve had their answer,” she said.

Ireland’s deputy leader, Micheal Martin has said “the majority were not persuaded by the arguments for changing the Constitution in this way.
Orla O’Connor, the director of the National Women’s Council of Ireland said the results of the referendums had to act as a “wake-up call” for equality and women’s rights.
“We cannot be complacent in terms of the progress that we are trying to make for women in this country,” she told RTE.

“The public have spoken, and we need to really consider that No vote and what is behind it and the reasons for it.”

The country of 5.3 million opted to end constitutional limits on same-sex marriage in 2015 and abortion in 2018.

The constitution, the core legal text of the nation, can only be modified through a national referendum.

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