Introduction and context of women Internationally, women did not have the right to vote until the 20th century. The fight for women's rights would be a fight for votes. This was linked to national aspirations for “home rule” (NiChonaill, 2014). Until the late 1990s Ireland had a reputation as the most sexually repressed country in Europe, where women were second-class citizens and the Catholic Church ruled virtually unchallenged. But things changed quickly. Feminism also became a dirty word within society. The Church was the main component of feminism, perhaps this was due to the fact that women had children at home. Irish men objected as it challenged the primacy of men in the home and market (NiChonaill, 2014). The Church was a male dominant patriarchal group. The roles of society are shaped by the Church. The Church was a great opponent of women's suffrage along with men's. Men were an immense adversary because they saw women as a threat. Society also plays an important role in dictating gender roles, for example pink is associated with girls and the color blue is associated with boys. The gender decision is seen when we are born. Women in Irish Society In the early stages of the state, it took a long time for women to obtain unemployment benefits. Ireland has a low percentage of female senators and TDs. This is evident in Fianna Fail; they have no female TDs. This reflects the fact that women do not want to work in this field. Politics is the traditional male dominant environment. This may change in 2014; OConnor states that many opportunities can change the balance of power between men and women. Women's employment is excluded from unemployment benefits by the Insurance Act of 1920 and the Social Security Act of 1952... middle of the paper... compared to men, they are still paid less, on average, and have more likely to be over-characterized in lower-paid sectors of the economy. Conclusion Things have changed but they have not changed completely. It is evident that women's opportunities were limited in the early years of the state. There were times of arranged marriages and dowries. Women and men are not homogeneous groups; we live in a society where people are socially disadvantaged. Society's norms have changed. In modern society there are many successful women who are honored for their achievements; Olympic gold medalist Katie Taylor, Maeve Binchy, whose work has captured the lives of Irish women over the past thirty years, Chief Revenue Commissioners Josephine Feehily and Clare Loftus, the first female DPP. Gender equality and female success are hard-won and should be celebrated with ease.