Equality
Sinn Féin advocates the right to social, economic, gender and cultural equality. This encompasses equality for all, irrespective of race, age, marital or family status, sexual orientation, physical or mental capacities, ethnicity, social origin, political or religious affiliations, or membership of the Travelling Community.
Creating the conditions for establishing an equal society means recognising that many diverse groups and sections of Irish society need enhanced protection from the State. We must tackle the trend to blame a person or group for their exclusion from society.
It is the same mentality that leads to the isolation of people who are old, handicapped and disabled. We need to recognise that Ireland and Irish society is the sum of its parts and there is no rationale for excluding any group.
Women are the largest group of those who have been excluded from the benefits of the Celtic Tiger economy. Households headed by lone parents and by older women remain at high risk of poverty and structural inequalities continue to trap many women in low paid, part-time employment. Sinn Féin is committed to Building an Ireland of Equals.
Sinn Féin’s priorities include:
- support for measures to achieve equality of representation both in political life and in all public appointments;
- equal pay and the removal of those on the minimum wage from the tax net;
- affordable and accessible childcare;
- free healthcare at the point of delivery for all;
- free breast and cervical screening programmes;
- affordable quality housing;
- individual social welfare entitlements for women;
- restrospective contributory pension credits for homemakers and carers;
- proper financial support for full-time carers and an end to the means test for the Carers Allowance;
- a safety and sanctions policy to deal with violence against women;
- development of localy based serv ices and transport infrastructure to combat isolation;
- adequate financial support and easy access for women taking up education and training at all levels.
Rights For All 
Introduction. The creation of an Irish freedom charter -- a charter for justice and peace in Ireland, a charter that brings together the demands for political and social and economic freedom -- was first raised by Gerry Adams during the peace process. For Sinn Féin, political freedom is nothing if… Read more
Women in an Ireland of Equals
Women are the largest group of those who have been excluded from the benefits of the Celtic Tiger economy. Households headed by lone parents and by older women remain at high risk of poverty and structural inequalities continue to trap many women in low paid, part-time employment. Sinn Féin is… Read more
A Charter for Senior Citizens
Social Inclusion - Sinn Féin believes that creating the conditions for an equal society means recognising that many diverse groups need enhanced protection from the state. Social Inclusion Sinn Féin believes that creating the conditions for an equal society means recognising that many diverse groups need enhanced protection from the… Read more
Campaigning for Full Equality
The European Union is still a very unequal place, where women are grossly underrepresented in decision-making, where people with disabilities are regularly denied full access to education, services and jobs, and where some member state governments still believe it is acceptable to discriminate against people based on their national origin,… Read more
Moving On - A Policy for Lesbian, Gay and Bi-Sexual Equality
Lesbian, gay and bisexual people suffer from discrimination and harassment in every aspect of their daily lives. Whether in the social, political, economic or cultural spheres, they are denied equality of rights and opportunities. There is no logical or rational defence for such exclusion. Only ignorance and indifference enable such… Read more
Many Voices One Country: Cherishing all the children of the nation equally - Towards an anti-racist Ireland
As Ireland becomes a more multi-cultural country, the challenge is to embrace our growing diversity as a source of strength and opportunity. To do this we must begin by opposing racism, discrimination and intolerance of any kind wherever it occurs. We all know that racism does not grow by accident.… Read more