Irish State must meet responsibilities of international ‘Bill of Rights’ for Women
Published: Friday, October 07, 2016
Violeta Neubauer, independent women’s human rights and gender equality expert from Slovenia is in Dublin today to address a seminar being held by the National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI) on the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), often described as the international ‘Bill of Rights’ for women.
Orla O’Connor, Director of NWCI said,
“In 2017, Ireland will be examined under CEDAW for the first time in over ten years. This is an important moment for women’s rights in Ireland, as CEDAW is a critical tool in advancing women’s rights, and also a framework by which Ireland can take responsibility for confronting and eliminating barriers to women’s equality.”
Violeta Neubauer, independent women’s human rights and gender equality expert from Slovenia, and former member of the CEDAW Committee from 2007 to 2014 said,
“Under CEDAW, the Irish State has responsibilities to women from which it cannot withdraw. These are responsibilities that the State will be held accountable to at national and international levels. The value of the Convention, and of the work of the CEDAW Committee, in advancing the goals of gender equality and non-discrimination is huge. The preparation of shadow reports often brings together national women’s NGOs, like NWCI, to cooperate and join in efforts to challenge the inequalities and discrimination faced by women. In raising their voices of their members, NWCI ensures that the women of Ireland serve as key players in strengthening the accountability of the State to its women under international human rights law.”
Orla O’Connor concluded,
“NWCI is drafting a Shadow Report for submission to the CEDAW Committee to highlight issues not raised by the State or to point out where the Government may be focusing on achievements while minimising or neglecting failings. Today is crucial to forming the basis of our Shadow Report and ensuring that our members and women throughout Ireland engage directly with the Convention.”
Distinguished guests and speakers at the event include:
• Violeta Neubauer, independent women’s human rights and gender equality expert from Slovenia, and former member of the CEDAW Committee from 2007 to 2014
• Dr. Patricia Conlan, chair of the Feminism and International Law Committee of the International Law Association
• Sinéad Lucey, Managing Solicitor FLAC (the Free Legal Advice Centres)
What: Women’s Rights and CEDAW, NWCI Members and Friends Meeting
Where: Oak Room, the Mansion House, Dawson St, Dublin 2
When: Thursday, 6th Oct, 10 am – 4 pm
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For more information, please contact Sarah Clarkin, Communications Officer, 085 8619087
Notes to the Editor:
The Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) is an international treaty adopted by the United Nations General Assembly. It is often described as an international ‘Bill of Rights’ for women.
The purpose of the seminar is to highlight the importance of CEDAW, its relationship to Ireland and the women’s movement as well as highlighting the practical ways it can be harnessed for campaigning and lobbying work.
As part of this process, the State submitted, on the 15 September 2016, a written response to a list of issues identified by an independent expert body within the United Nations, (the CEDAW Committee). (See here for Ireland’s combined sixth and seventh periodic Report to the UN CEDAW Committee, along with an Annex of statistical data.)