THE TAOISEACH HAS announced that there will be a convention on the status of women in Ireland to tackle gender inequality issues.

At this week’s Cabinet meeting, Leo Varadkar said a commission would be established “to review the effectiveness of existing measures to tackle gender inequality”.

The commission will submit a report to government within a six-month timeframe setting out ways in which greater gender equality in Ireland can be achieved.

Although he didn’t mention a specific date in which the commission would be set up, he indicated that it would be in the near future.

The Taoiseach announced the commission as part of Vótáil 100 – a centenary celebration of women’s right to vote and run for election in Ireland.

The Cabinet also agreed this week to hold a referendum on removing or altering a clause in the Constitution that refers to woman’s life within the home, which is as follows:

“In particular, the State recognises that by her life within the home, woman gives to the state a support without which the common good cannot be achieved.

“The State shall, therefore, endeavour to ensure that mothers shall not be obliged by economic necessity to engage in labour to the neglect of duties in the home.”

The referendum is pencilled in for October next year. Work is proceeding so that the necessary Bill to amend the Constitution can be ready in time for the referendum.

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