Increased public attention on domestic violence and sexual assault has highlighted how the state continues to fail women. In the courts, the burden of proof is too often on survivors and justice is rarely served. Most reported sexual assaults end in no conviction and a majority of sexual assaults go unreported. Refuges and shelters for victims of abuse and violence are underfunded and entire regions of the country have no shelter whatsoever. The lack of secure shelters for women and children, combined with the housing crisis mean women are often trapped in dangerous, abusive situations. People Before Profit will continue to fight for real justice alongside survivors of assault and abuse. Deciding whether or not and when to have children are very personal matters. We believe that these decisions should be made by women themselves, in consultation with their doctor and with the support of their partner and family if that is appropriate. People Before Profit support a woman’s right to make her own decisions regarding reproduction, including the right to free, safe and legal abortion.
We are committed to:
• Free contraception through the health service. Contraceptive methods such as the bar can cost over €300, leaving those who cannot afford to pay without protection from pregnancy.
• Free sanitary products through the health service.
• Separation of sex education in schools from religion and moralism. Education should include a cultural critique of everyday sexism.
• Gender audits at work to highlight structural discrimination. Forcing employers to publish plans on how significant imbalances will be addressed.
• Accessible state-funded childcare in communities and workplaces.
• Increasing the Maternity Period to 12 months, providing full maternity pay and one month’s paternity pay.
• Adequate provision of services for lone parents and their families, for people with disabilities and for children with special needs.
• Full financial support for women’s refuge and rape-crisis centres dealing with domestic violence.