Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 November 2013
153. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he continues to use his influence at EU and UN level with a view to ensuring that women and girls under various regimes worldwide not known for their observance of women’s human rights are encouraged to address these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49548/13]
View answerThe Government remains fully committed to combating all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls. This is a key element of our human rights agenda. I will continue to advocate for this important issue at the regional and international level. Ireland has been a strong advocate of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. We have taken a leadership role in the international arena calling on other states to commit to implementation of this resolution. The resolution calls for an increase in the participation of women in peacemaking and peacebuilding processes; the protection to women and girls in armed conflict; and the incorporation of a gender perspective into peacekeeping and peacebuilding processes.
At an EU level, Ireland has taken an active role in negotiations on the EU guidelines on violence against women and girls and combating all forms of discrimination which were adopted in 2008. Ireland is an active member of the EU Taskforce on Women, Peace and Security.
Ireland is also an active participant in the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) which is the principal global policy-making body on gender equality and the advancement of women.
Combating all forms of violence against women and girls is a key priority of Ireland’s overseas development programme both through policy dialogue and programme support.
Both bilaterally in our engagement with partner countries, and at the UN and in other multilateral bodies, the Government consistently emphasises the importance of gender mainstreaming as a key aspect of ending poverty, hunger, discrimination and vulnerability across the globe.
The Government cooperates closely with key UN partners in their work on combating all forms of violence against girls. UNICEF, UN Women and UNFPA work closely with governments across the developing world to promote women’s rights and empowerment. In this context, Ireland supports specific programmes on targeting elimination of discrimination against women and girls; empowerment of women; and achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.
