Women

Although women now have formal legal equality in most areas of public live they are a long way from having real equality. A minority of married women work outside the home. When employed women earn less than men and their employment choices are more restricted.

Only 12% of TDs are women and women are grossly under represented in most other areas of public life.

The physical and sexual abuse of women is increasing in Irish society.

To achieve real equality for women Sinn Fein is advocating;

• measures to achieve equality of representation both in political life and in appointments to all public bodies. Women must be involved in making the laws that affect their lives
• the setting of time scales to achieve equality of outcome in employment structures, education and training
• as child care has been identified as the biggest difficulty faced by women wanting to work or participate in public life, the provision of child care facilities and subsidies for childcare must be a priority
• area partnerships, as new structures, should be set up with the aim of ensuring gender equality