The Joint Committee of Women’s Societies and Social Workers held its first meeting in March 1935 in Dublin. It was attended by notable figures like Mary Sheehy Kettle and Hanna Sheehy Skeffington. Initially formed to address the rejection of amendments to the Criminal Law Amendment Act, the committee operated for fifty-eight years before disbanding in 1993.
Its membership fluctuated from nine to fourteen organisations, tackling various issues affecting women and children during significant societal changes in Ireland. The collection is organised into seven series, primarily consisting of files and bound volumes. The minutes from 1935 are a key resource, alongside reports from the 1980s and 1990s.
Notable entries include reports from the 1980s and 1990s, detailing the committee’s activities and initiatives, alongside information related to its fiftieth-anniversary celebrations. These minutes serve as a valuable resource for understanding the committee’s influence on women’s rights and social policies in Ireland.
Over the years, the committee engaged with key legislative changes, including discussions on women’s representation in government and social welfare reforms. For instance, in 1936, they expressed concerns about women’s constitutional and economic conditions to then-Prime Minister Éamon de Valera, highlighting their commitment to ensuring women’s voices were heard in legislative matters.
Their records reflect a proactive approach to shaping policies that affected women and children, demonstrating their role in advocating for social change during a transformative period in Irish society. The Joint Committee of Women’s Societies and Social Workers profoundly impacted women’s rights in Ireland. Over its fifty-eight years of operation, the committee addressed critical issues such as domestic violence, reproductive rights, and women’s representation in government. Their efforts contributed to significant legislative changes, including reforms in social welfare and protections for women and children.
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