Sir, - The National Women's Council of Ireland (NWCI) is pleased that the Irish Government has announced its intention to remove its reservations on the CEDAW (Convention to Eliminate All forms of Discrimination Against Women). The will mean that Ireland can fully join with other governments to work towards the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women.
Mr Myers, in deciding to misunderstand the purpose and point of CEDAW (An Irishman's Diary, May 25th), was confused on some issues.
The UN Committee's statement pointed out that motherhood should not be the only way in which women may/should be defined. It pointed out that the reference to "woman by her life in the home" as contained in the Irish Constitution could be interpreted to mean that motherhood is the sole role or only acceptable definition or expression of womanhood in Ireland. The statement from the UN was a reminder to Government that motherhood is but one role amongst many by which women express and define themselves. The statement was neither promoting nor demonising motherhood.
There is no doubt that the new equality legislation which has given us the Equality Authority and the office of Director of Equality Investigations coupled with the Equal Status Act will strengthen the institutional mechanisms (though there are some gaps remaining). This legislation will support women to pursue life choices and social roles as a right.
The NWCI for over a quarter of a century has been the representative voice of Irish women's organisations and networks affiliated to it. Our 154 member organisations range from locally based women's education groups, to national religious groups such as Catholic Women's Federation, Presbyterian women, community based women's groups, lone parent organisations, numerous trades unions along with groups combating violence against women. We represent a large number of national organisations such as Irish Countrywomen's Association and groupings involved in health, education, development and a plethora of single issue groups.
During those 25 years we have campaigned for the establishment of the rights of women, including those who are mothers. We have highlighted and lobbied for changes and choices on numerous issues and in many sites on matters affecting mothers, such as improved maternity services, childcare supports, family friendly employment and education policies, pension rights, to name but a few.
On February 1st, NWCI launched a campaign for a national paid holiday, as reported in your own paper, as a way to draw attention to and seek acknowledgment from the State of women's unpaid work. Women's unpaid work includes the caring work done in the home by many women who may or may not be mothers. Caring for children and the elderly are specific areas where women's contribution is undervalued. Women who live in rural and urban communities across Ireland have supported the campaign, which also seeks that Government put in place a set of satellite accounts. These satellite accounts would show the monetary value of the contribution to the current economic boom, being made by women with their unpaid work.
The NWCI is proud of its acknowledgment and recognition by Government as a voice for Irish women. Contrary to Mr Myers's presumption, we welcome informed contributions to the ongoing debate on the strengthening of women's rights and the role of feminism in the new millennium. - Yours, etc.,
Grainne Healy, Chairwoman, National Women's Council of Ireland, Cumberland Street South, Dublin 2.