Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 June 2022
452. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the level of funding that Irish Aid has provided to the 10th Africa Conference on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights being held in Sierra Leone from 27 June to 1 July 2022; if funding has been provided in previous years to the Africa Conference; if so, the amounts for each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34182/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 10th Africa Conference on Sexual Health and Rights will take place in Freetown, Sierra Leone from 27 June-1 July 2022. It is convened by the African Federation for Sexual Health and Rights and hosted by Sierra Leonean organisation Purposeful, in partnership with a number of development partners and civil society organisations, and in collaboration with the Government of Sierra Leone. The theme for this year’s Conference is, “Accelerating the Elimination of Sexual and Gender Based Violence in Africa”. It will bring together high-level delegates from across the African continent with civil society actors and activists who are working to end Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) against women and girls.
Gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls are at the heart of Ireland’s Mission Strategy in Sierra Leone and cut across the Embassy’s four key areas of focus - Nutrition and Food Security, Gender, Education, and Governance and Human Rights. The theme of this Conference aligns well with the Embassy’s work to strengthen prevention of sexual and gender-based violence and access to services for survivors, particularly adolescent girls. The Conference also provides an important opportunity to advance the Government of Sierra Leone’s commitment to reducing SGBV.
As part of the Irish Aid grant to Purposeful for 2022-2023, €50,000 has been earmarked to allow Purposeful to support and take forward follow-up work arising from the Conference.
Irish Aid has not funded this Conference previously.
