Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 November 2015
88. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Defence for further details on his announcement that all-female Defence Forces units will be created and embedded in United Nations peacekeeping operations, where gender-based violence has occurred. [41166/15]
View answerIn May 2015, during a visit to Ireland, the Secretary General of the United Nations Mr. Ban Ki-moon, observed the value in some situations of being able to call upon female peacekeepers having regard to the multifaceted nature of peacekeeping challenges. He requested that consideration be given to the contribution of women soldiers to UN operations and that Ireland might factor this into its approach to such operations. The recent White Paper on Defence highlights the importance of UNSCR 1325 in setting out the vital role that women can play in conflict prevention, conflict resolution, peace building, post-conflict reconstruction, reform and governance. This, and subsequent UN Women, Peace and Security (WPS) resolutions, call on nations to ensure that a gender perspective is included in the planning and conduct of all military operations, something that is particularly relevant in circumstances where gender based violence has occurred.
In the continuing development of the State’s approach to overseas peace support and in response to the Secretary General’s comments, the Department is examining the UN Secretary General’s request in consultation with the UN and will engage in due course with other stakeholders involved, including the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Department of Justice and Equality, An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces to explore the contribution of gender focused measures, particularly in relation to the appropriate formation and deployment of female personnel.
It is important to stress that the Government remains committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women throughout the Defence Forces and that the Defence Forces have no restrictions as regards the assignment of men or women to the full range of operational and administrative duties, including in respect of participation in UN peacekeeping operations.
