UN Security Council

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 January 2021

Wednesday, 13 January 2021

Questions (390)

Denis Naughten

Question:

390. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will include the outlawing of the practice of breast ironing during Ireland's term on the UN security Council in view of the fact that this practice has been identified by the United Nations as one of five intersecting and vicious forms of discrimination and forgotten crimes against women; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1407/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Breast ironing is a form of gender based violence (GBV) and is one of many harmful practices suffered by millions of women and girls globally. Practices such as this, as highlighted by a recent UNFPA report, must be tackled to achieve gender equality. The report highlighted the importance of tackling the root causes, in particular gender-biased norms in society, and the need to invest in grassroots actions by communities to end these practices.

Ending gender based violence and harmful practices is a central priority for Ireland’s foreign and development policy. We will continue to advocate for this strongly across all of our multilateral engagements, including at the Security Council, while continuing to provide funding to partners working to end GBV and harmful practices globally.

Ireland is consistently among those OECD countries with the highest proportion of official development assistance (ODA) which contributes to gender equality. In 2019, approximately 76% (€295 million), of Ireland’s bilateral allocable aid contributed to gender equality. Of this, over €15 million was invested in actions to prevent gender-based violence, or in support of those who have suffered from GBV.

In addition, Ireland contributes a significant amount of multilateral funding to organisations such as the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, UNFPA and UN Women who are working to end practices such as breast ironing. Ireland also provides annual funding to the UN Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women, supporting efforts to address GBV at grassroots level in over 80 countries.