The Struggle for Women´s Right

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Introduction and background of women
Internationally women did not have a vote up to the twentieth century. The struggle for women’s rights would have been a fight for votes. This was linked to national aspirations for ‘home rule’ (NiChonaill, 2014). Until the last few years of the 1990s Ireland had the reputation of being the most sexually repressed country in Europe, where women were second class citizens and the Catholic Church ruled virtually unchallenged. But things have changed fast. Feminism also became a bad word within society.

The Church was the main components of feminism, maybe this was due to the fact that women had children at home. Irish men opposed it as it challenged the primacy of men in the home, market place (NiChonaill, 2014). The Church was a patriarchal male dominating group. Society’s roles are shaped by the Church. The Church was a big opponent to women’s suffrage along with men. Men were an immense opponent because they saw women as a threat. Society also plays a massive part in dictating gender roles e.g. pink is associated girls and the colour blue is associated with boys. The gender decision is seen when we are born.
Women in Irish society
In early stages of the state, it took a long time for women to get unemployment benefits. Ireland has a poor percentage of women senators and TD’s. This is evident in Fianna Fail; they have no female TD’s. This reflects the fact that women do not want to work in this field. Politics is the traditional male dominating environment. This can change in the year 2014; OConnor declares that many opportunities can change the balance of power between men and women. Women’s occupation excluded from unemployment compensation by the 1920 insurance act and the 1952 social wel...

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...than men, they are still paid less, on average than men and are more likely to be excessively characterized in the lowest paid sectors of the economy.

Conclusion
Things have changed but not completely changed. It is evident that women’s opportunities were restricted in the early years of the state. There were eras of arranged marriages and dowry’s. Women and men are not homogenous groups; we live in a society where people are socially challenged. The norms of society have changed. In modern society there are many successful women that are honoured for their achievements; Olympic gold medallist, Katie Taylor, Maeve Binchy, who’s work captured Irish women’s lives over the last thirty years, Revenue Commissioners chief Josephine Feehily and Clare Loftus, the first female DPP. Gender equality and female success has been hard won and it should be celebrated with aplomb.

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