Ireland looked set to reject proposals to replace constitutional references to the makeup of a family and a "mother's duties in the home" in a significant defeat for the government.

Prime Minister Leo Varadkar had pitched the referendum vote, held on Friday to coincide with International Women's Day, as a chance to delete some "very old-fashioned, very sexist language about women".

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/ireland-participates-in-referendums-on-family-and-gender-equality-697634" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/ireland-participates-in-referendums-on-family-and-gender-equality-697634&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjfvf2steeEAxWozTgGHZxXAmAQFnoECAMQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw0jAt7IYU8yG7tKpKWcMlNN" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ireland-participates-in-referendums-on-family-and-gender-equality-697634" target="_blank">Ireland&nbsp;holds&nbsp;referendum&nbsp;on family and gender equality</a>

He said the government would accept the results.

"I think it's clear at this stage that the family amendment and the care amendment referendums have been defeated - defeated comprehensively on a respectable turnout," he said

"...It was our responsibility to convince the majority of people to vote 'Yes' and we clearly failed to do so."

Official results are expected later in the day.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/woman-must-accept-mans-world-taliban-edu-minister-promotes-gender-inequality-641463" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/woman-must-accept-mans-world-taliban-edu-minister-promotes-gender-inequality-641463&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjPiJKJjuKEAxUBVmwGHZmQDy0QFnoECAUQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw22QzDPPdwIvMNCQAXaE5V_" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/woman-must-accept-mans-world-taliban-edu-minister-promotes-gender-inequality-641463" target="_blank">'Women must accept it's a man's world': Taliban education minister</a>

The two proposals would have made changes to the text of article 41 in the Irish constitution, written in 1937.

The first asked citizens to expand the definition of family from a relationship founded on marriage to include other durable relationships, whether founded on marriage or not.

The second would have replaced language surrounding a mother's duties with a clause recognising care provided by family members by "reason of the bonds that exist among them".

In pics:&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-gender-equality-to-the-participation-of-trans-athletes-a-list-of-epic-firsts-at-tokyo-olympics-404254" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-gender-equality-to-the-participation-of-trans-athletes-a-list-of-epic-firsts-at-tokyo-olympics-404254&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiWtYX4jeKEAxV6S2cHHcqPD4s4ChAWegQIAxAB&amp;usg=AOvVaw1kOO-RQiTSWiF3QCKDmDwY" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-gender-equality-to-the-participation-of-trans-athletes-a-list-of-epic-firsts-at-tokyo-olympics-404254" target="_blank">From&nbsp;gender-equality&nbsp;to the participation of trans-athletes</a>

In effect, the proposal to spread the burden of care for people with disabilities to the entire family from only the mother became a row about the extent or willingness of the state to support carers.

Ireland looked set to reject proposals to replace constitutional references to the makeup of a family and a "mother's duties in the home" in a significant defeat for the government.

Ireland looked set to reject proposals to replace constitutional references to the makeup of a family and a "mother's duties in the home" in a significant defeat for the government. Prime Minister Leo Varadkar had pitched the referendum vote, held on Friday to coincide with International Women's Day, as a chance to delete some "very old-fashioned, very sexist language about women". Also read: Ireland holds referendum on family and gender equality He said the government would accept the results. "I think it's clear at this stage that the family amendment and the care amendment referendums have been defeated - defeated comprehensively on a respectable turnout," he said "...It was our responsibility to convince the majority of people to vote 'Yes' and we clearly failed to do so." Official results are expected later in the day. Also read: 'Women must accept it's a man's world': Taliban education minister The two proposals would have made changes to the text of article 41 in the Irish constitution, written in 1937. The first asked citizens to expand the definition of family from a relationship founded on marriage to include other durable relationships, whether founded on marriage or not. The second would have replaced language surrounding a mother's duties with a clause recognising care provided by family members by "reason of the bonds that exist among them". In pics: From gender-equality to the participation of trans-athletes In effect, the proposal to spread the burden of care for people with disabilities to the entire family from only the mother became a row about the extent or willingness of the state to support carers.

Ireland to retain ‘sexist’ language in constitution about women's role as referendum fails

Ireland will hold a referendum next year on whether to repeal its constitutional ban on&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-allows-13-year-old-rape-victim-to-terminate-31-week-old-pregnancy-19938" target="_blank">abortion</a>&nbsp;in almost all cases -- just a few weeks before Pope Francis visits, the government said Tuesday.

Prime Minister Leo Varadkar has previously said the eighth amendment, which makes&nbsp;abortion&nbsp;illegal unless there is a real and substantial risk to the life of the mother, was &quot;too restrictive&quot;.

His government agreed Tuesday to hold the vote in &quot;May or June 2018&quot; -- just before the pope visits in August to attend the World Meeting of Families.

Abortion&nbsp;has always been illegal in Ireland but was inserted into the constitution in 1983 following a referendum, in which 67 percent of voters were in favour and 33 percent against.

A woman convicted of having an illegal termination faces 14 years imprisonment.

However, women are free to travel abroad for abortions and thousands do so every year, mainly to England.

Opinion polls in recent years have consistently indicated strong support for reform in Ireland, which remains largely Catholic but where scandals have dented the church&#39;s authority.

Last year, the UN Human Rights Committee found Ireland&#39;s&nbsp;abortion&nbsp;laws &quot;cruel, inhuman and degrading&quot;.

The referendum was announced as the government set out a timetable for several votes over the next two years, including one on Ireland&#39;s controversial anti-blasphemy law.

In 2015, Ireland became the first country in the world to legalise gay marriage in a referendum.

Varadkar said in a statement: &quot;Any amendment to our constitution requires careful consideration by the people. They should be given ample time to consider the issues and to take part in a well-informed public debate.

&quot;Setting a timetable for the referendum to be held over the next two years will allow all involved in campaigning on the issues to plan ahead and to facilitate that public debate.&quot;

Ireland will a referendum next year to repeal its constitutional ban on abortion

Ireland will hold a referendum next year on whether to repeal its constitutional ban on abortion in almost all cases -- just a few weeks before Pope Francis visits, the government said Tuesday. Prime Minister Leo Varadkar has previously said the eighth amendment, which makes abortion illegal unless there is a real and substantial risk to the life of the mother, was "too restrictive". His government agreed Tuesday to hold the vote in "May or June 2018" -- just before the pope visits in August to attend the World Meeting of Families. Abortion has always been illegal in Ireland but was inserted into the constitution in 1983 following a referendum, in which 67 percent of voters were in favour and 33 percent against. A woman convicted of having an illegal termination faces 14 years imprisonment. However, women are free to travel abroad for abortions and thousands do so every year, mainly to England. Opinion polls in recent years have consistently indicated strong support for reform in Ireland, which remains largely Catholic but where scandals have dented the church's authority. Last year, the UN Human Rights Committee found Ireland's abortion laws "cruel, inhuman and degrading". The referendum was announced as the government set out a timetable for several votes over the next two years, including one on Ireland's controversial anti-blasphemy law. In 2015, Ireland became the first country in the world to legalise gay marriage in a referendum. Varadkar said in a statement: "Any amendment to our constitution requires careful consideration by the people. They should be given ample time to consider the issues and to take part in a well-informed public debate. "Setting a timetable for the referendum to be held over the next two years will allow all involved in campaigning on the issues to plan ahead and to facilitate that public debate."

Will hold abortion referendum in 2018: Ireland

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Ireland to retain ‘sexist’ language in constitution about women's role as referendum fails

Will hold abortion referendum in 2018: Ireland