Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2020
17. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the content of the press statement on protecting sexual and reproductive health and rights and promoting gender-responsiveness in the Covid-19 crisis signed by Ireland and other states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11726/20]
View answerCOVID-19 is a global crisis, requiring a collective, coordinated, global response.
Ireland believes that international solidarity and a multilateral response are essential to ensure that we do not reverse progress as a result of COVID19. The pandemic is having a disproportionate impact on women and girls, exacerbating existing gender inequalities. International experience from previous public health outbreaks has demonstrated that the delivery of essential health services can be adversely impacted at times of crisis, with particular negative health outcomes for women and girls.
Ireland is championing the needs of vulnerable groups on the international stage during the pandemic. Gender equality is a core priority for Ireland’s international development cooperation and wider foreign policy, including our voice on the UN Security Council. We will continue to use our voice to firmly advocate that women and girls are at the heart of COVID-19 global and country level responses.
These considerations informed the decision to join 58 other countries in signing the press statement in question. The full statement can be found at: https://www.government.nl/documents/diplomatic-statements/2020/05/06/protecting-sexual-and-reproductive-health-and-rights-and-promoting-gender-responsiveness-in-the-covid-19-crisis
