Health Promotion

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 July 2022

Tuesday, 12 July 2022

Questions (500)

John Brady

Question:

500. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of the new initiative on sexual and reproductive health, and rights, set out in A Better World, Ireland's policy for international development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37325/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs

Ireland’s international development programme has had a long-standing focus on improving the quality and availability of health services, particularly maternal and child health. A Better World, Ireland’s policy for international development, commits to a new initiative on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), building on our partnerships in health and HIV and AIDS. Access to health services, including access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services, is essential for transforming women’s health outcomes. This is especially important during humanitarian crises and in fragile contexts, where health services can be extremely limited.

To inform the development of an effective SRHR initiative, my Department has deepened our engagement with key partners in this area since the launch of A Better World. This includes support to UN agencies including UNFPA, UNESCO and UNAIDS. It also includes innovative partnerships with organisations such as the International Partnership for Microbicides that are working to develop sexual and reproductive health products tailored to women's needs. Recently, in response to the crisis in Ukraine, my Department provided further support to UNFPA’s essential work in protecting women and girls from multiple forms of gender-based violence. Also informing the development of the initiative are the learnings from the gender sensitive interventions supported through the international development programme, frequently in partnership with the HSE, as part of the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

My Department will continue to work with partners on SRHR, HIV and maternal health, and explore further avenues to take forward programming in line with our commitment in A Better World.