NWCI address UN CEDAW Committee in Geneva on Ireland’s record on women’s rights

Published: Thursday, February 23, 2017

The National Women's Council of Ireland (NWCI) was in Geneva last week, for Ireland's first examination in over a decade by the United Nations Committee for the Elimination of All Forms of Violence Against Women (CEDAW).

Prior to travelling, NWCI released our Shadow Report a parallel report to the official State report, which our members fed into through consulations. In the report, NWCI recognises that significant positive advancements have occurred for women’s equality, but there remain persistent structural inequalities for women in Ireland.  An issue of considerable concern is the lack of comprehensive disaggregated data pertaining to a range of areas where women’s rights are engaged, alongside a lack of urgency, prioritisation and resources for key areas such as access to abortion, violence against women, childcare and women’s economic independence.

Orla O'Connor, Director of NWCI addressed the CEDAW Committee on Monday February 13 in Geneva. Orla told the Committee that we need the appropriate resources and political will to restore and advance women’s rights and equality in Ireland - you can read the full statement here. 

The CEDAW Committee will publish their concluding observations, and two priority issues that the State will have to report back on, on 6 March 2017.