Ivana Bacik
Question:59. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his engagement with Afghan women's groups in respect of human rights in that country since August 2021. [37068/23]
View answerTuesday, 25 July 2023
Questions (59)
Written answers
Ireland has taken a clear stand in support of Afghan women and girls, including during our recent term on the United Nations Security Council when we consulted with Afghan women leaders and drew on their insights in the Council's consideration of the Afghanistan file.
In March 2023, the Foreign Affairs Council agreed Conclusions on Afghanistan which commit the EU and its Member States to amplify the voices of Afghan women's groups, such as the Afghan Women Leaders’ Forum. These Conclusions help ensure the international community to take the perspective of Afghan women into account when considering policy approaches towards Afghanistan.
Through my Department, Ireland funds The Women's Forum on Afghanistan, a prominent advocacy and networking platform comprised of Afghan and global women leaders. The Forum was created in the aftermath of the Taliban's takeover in Afghanistan, to amplify the voices of Afghan women on the world stage. Members of this group work with global policymakers to ensure a focus on women's rights in Afghanistan, to initiate and support projects which empower women in the areas of health, education and human rights.
In March 2023, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Mr. Roderic O'Gorman T.D. met with members of the Women's Forum, in the context of the Commission on the Status of Women.
Ireland will continue to support partners who are working to help Afghan women and girls, including those who have fled Afghanistan. Since January 2021, Ireland has provided over €9 million in humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and Afghan refugees through our Irish Aid programme. A dedicated portion of this funding went to education programming as well as to UNICEF Afghanistan, where it was partly used for maternal and neonatal programming.