1. “Women in Irish Society - how far have they come?” Prof. Anne Flynn 03/01/2005

2. Traditional Irish Greeting A chairde. Tá áthus orm bheith anseo libh agus mo bhuiochas libh as an fáilte a thug sibh dom.

3. Why do women need to connect in a global world? Over 25 years ago the United Nations set the scene fairly concisely “Women constitute half the world’s population, perform nearly two- thirds of its work hours, receive one tenth of the world’s income and own less than one hundredth of the world’s property”

4. Structure National History Feminism & the Suffrage Movement Public & Private Morality Shift in Public Perception Women in the Workforce & Business Women in Politics & Decision-Making State & Private Support for Women Equality Closing Remarks

5. National History In 1900, Ireland was a central part of Great Britain. In 1916 - GPO uprising, War of Independence In 1923 - Irish State. Controversial Treaty, gained its independence even though six counties in the north remained part of Great Britain. Emigration. Economic Growth 1980’s

6. Feminism & the Suffrage Movement The Irish Women’s Movement - split along militant and non-militant lines, unionist and nationalist lines. 1914 - women activists lobbied government to provide women police - First Ban Gardai 1958. Joint Committee of Women's Societies & Social Workers in 1935 - 'A Plea for Equal Pay for Women'

7. Feminism & the Suffrage Movement 1937 Irish Constitution clearly defined women's gender roles “death knell of the working women” 1971 Irish Women’s Liberation - 47 members took “contraception train” from Belfast to Dublin Forced onto the Irish public a frank discussion about women’s sexual and political rights

8. Public & Private Morality Catholic Social Teaching Health (Family Planning) Bill 1978 – “contraception by prescription” Abortion - extremely controversial and legally complex issue. Divorce Referendums 1986 & 1995 Constitutional changes for women have allowed women in Ireland more freedom in their gender roles.

9. Shift in Public Perception Election of Mary Robinson to the Irish Presidency in 1990. Ireland’s first female president, a distinguished lawyer and a seasoned campaigner for the liberalization of divorce and contraception law. Ideal representative of the new modern and progressive Ireland

10. Women in the Workforce & Business 1974 - An Anti-Discrimination (Pay) Act. In 1992 Irish women received less than 70% of male earnings. Married women in the workforce The Celtic Tiger relied on women’s labor and more families now rely on two wages. “Women and Men in Ireland 2004” gender report published by the CSO.

11. Employment rates Women (15-64) 55.3% in 2003, above the EU 25 average of 55%. (Men 74.7% well above EU 25 average of 70.8%) EU Childcare Provision. Women (20-44) 87.2% - women with no children to 52.4% for women youngest child aged 3 or under. Rate rose 63.6% youngest child 6 years or over.

12. Principal Economic Status of Women

13. Women Occupation

14. Women in the Workforce & Business Fertility Rate: 1951 (6.0 children) 1993 (dropped 1.90) 2002 (increased 1.97) while the EU average (decreased 1.46) Childcare Problems Women Graduates: Education & Health and Welfare Women Directors (5%) & very few women CEOs of large companies

15. Women Entrepreneurs 15% of Irish entrepreneurs are women Strong gender imbalance: (3.7%) female vs. (12.5%) male Comparison with the US - another 56,000 women entrepreneurs (DKIT's) Centre for Entrepreneurship Research (EU funded 'ProWomEn' project)

16. Women in Politics & Decision-Making 2004, 13.3% Women TDs in Dáil Eireann Below EU 25 average (22.1%) History: Constance Markievicz, Mary Robinson, Mary Harney. European Parliament 13 (5 Women) Irish Civil Service 68%, lower levels Strategic Plan 2002-2005: NCWI increase % women in decision-making to 30% in key sites by 2005

17. State & Private Support for Women Network Ireland - mission is to “promote, support and develop the position of women in business.” ‘Captains of Enterprise’ program Limerick City Enterprise Board ‘Women in Business Mentoring Program’ - leading by example “Giorraionn beirt bothar”

18. Equality Most Modern Equality Legislation in Europe Equality Act & Equal Status Act National Plan for Women 2002 Inequalities in women's place in Irish society? Gender mainstreaming,

19. Closing Remarks Women in History Month Rightful place in areas of society, new opportunities in education, business, employment & politics President’s Award Scheme – Gaisce “Go raibh maith agaibh go léir.”