Gender equality
Ireland believes in a world with universal respect for human rights. We know this can be achieved only through gender equality.
That is why gender equality is at the heart of Ireland’s development cooperation.
Progress has been made but the world is long way off track to achieve gender equality by 2030. UN Women estimates closing gaps in legal protections and removing discriminatory laws could take up to 286 years based on the current rate of change.
Progressing gender equality
Supporting gender equality is central to Ireland’s development partnerships. We take a twin track approach to progressing gender equality. Mainstreaming gender equality is a part of all our work across our interventions and foreign policy.
We are also committed to increasing funding to programmes dedicated to achieving gender equality.
380 million
women and girls living in extreme poverty
10%
of women and girls aged 15-49 subjected to violence annually
3rd
Ireland’s ranking of OECD members for the share of development spend targeting gender equality
Ireland supports programmes to:
Women’s political participation
Equal representation is central to ensuring just, fair and peaceful societies. As of January 2023, only 36 countries (21%) have a woman Head of State and/or government. Women comprise just 26% of parliamentarians globally and 34% of local government representatives.
Ireland supports women’s right to equal participation. Women have important roles to play as political decision makers and peacebuilding leaders.
Supporting women in politics
We support the Women in Politics Programme. This is done alongside the Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU), a global forum for parliamentarians from 179 countries. This programme aims to build more representative parliaments and strengthen the work of parliaments on gender equality.
Irish Aid supports women’s political participation at different levels. Examples include:
- We support the Zimbabwe Institute to build inter-party dialogue on enhancing women and young people’s participation in politics.
- In Liberia, we promoted engagement by women and people with disabilities in political and peacebuilding processes in the lead up to the 2023 elections.
End gender-based violence
Gender-based violence (GBV) is one of the most tolerated human rights abuses worldwide. It is the act or threat of harm inflicted on a person because of their gender. GBV contributes hugely to poverty and ill health worldwide. It prevents many people, mostly women, from reaching their potential.
Globally, more than 1 in every 10 females aged 15-49 were subjected to sexual and/or physical violence by an intimate partner last year. In 2021, 1 in 4 women and girls aged 15-49 in sub-Saharan Africa had undergone female genital mutilation.
Ireland places a high priority to ending gender-based violence. We support programmes aimed at preventing and responding to violence.
Preventing gender-based violence
Ireland supports Raising Voices to create prevention programmes. It supports others to use those methodologies in over 25 countries worldwide. Raising Voices researches what does and doesn’t work to keep women and children safe. Using these insights, they influence violence prevention efforts around the world. Research has shown a 52% reduction in violence against women and 41% reduction in violence against children in communities and schools where their methodology is applied.
The IFRAH Foundation, supported by Ireland, works for the elimination of female genital in Somalia. It does this through advocacy, awareness raising and community empowerment activities.
Ireland also supports the work of Irish Consortium on Gender Based Violence. This is an Irish-based alliance of human rights, humanitarian and development organisations. Its aim is to ensure high quality programming and policy responses to the problem of GBV.
Women’s rights organisations and feminist movements
Women’s rights organisations and feminist movements are central to driving progress. Their role is under-recognised and underfunded. Globally, less than 1% of Official Development Assistance (ODA) is directed to women’s rights organisations.
Ireland recognises the central role of women’s rights organisations to progressing gender equality. We are committed to supporting feminist and women’s rights organisations and women peacebuilders in conflict-affected and fragile states and humanitarian response.
Strengthening women’s organisations
Ireland supports The Girls’ Fund. This innovative fund provides funding to young feminists. We have supported 26 groups around the world through The Girls’ Fund.
These groups work on topics including disability rights, trans rights and to sexual and reproductive health. They are working in environments hostile to women, girls and the LGBTQIA+ community. This includes conflict zones and in dangerous political contexts.