Speech by Nessa Childers MEP at the launch of the Labour Women Lisbon Campaign

Posted by Bronwen Maher on September 14, 2009 at 04:47 PM

Since the start of this referendum campaign, I have been asked by people up and down the country; “Why are you supporting a Yes vote for Lisbon?” This is a fair question to ask.

As I am not in the Parliament long enough to be considered as an EU insider, I have had to make my own minds up on such matters. I support the Lisbon Treaty, not just as a public representative passionate about the European ideal.

I support the Lisbon Treaty as a woman and as a mother of two children.  

The impact of EU membership on Irish women, on the equality agenda and in terms of the broadening out of economic, social and cultural opportunities have been incalculable. 

Europe has had a positive influence on the lives of Irish women in two key ways. EU policies have transformed the landscape for Irish women in areas such as gender equality, equal pay and many other significant social policy areas.

In addition, EU funding has laid the foundations for an enormously influential network of women’s groups, centres and resources which have acted as the catalyst for the training, education, upskilling and mobilisation of thousands of women who occupy positions of influence as community and civic leaders.

It is up to those of us who have benefitted from the EU to get out there in the next 19 days and tell the story of Europe. Tell your friends, family and colleagues not just what Europe has done for us. Tell them what we have done with Europe and how Ireland on the 3^rd October can be a much, much better place for women.

Tell them how, when the Lisbon Treaty is ratified, that the principle of equality between women and men becomes legally binding under the Charter of Fundamental Rights.

Tell them how job and educational opportunities can only be secured for us and our children in these uncertain times by throwing our full weight behind Europe and re-establishing Ireland’s reputation internationally.

Tell them how Lisbon will make all 27 EU member states work together more coherently to tackle the horrors of human trafficking.

Tell them how our children will be able to live in a Europe which values diversity and guarantees their human rights.

Tell them that Ireland’s status as a neutral country is specifically protected in the Treaty.

The EU has listened to the concerns expressed by many Irish women in last year’s referendum. These concerns have been acted on. Now it is time for us to act accordingly and put our full support behind a Yes vote for Lisbon in the best interests of Irish women.

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