Ireland's Implementation of CEDAW Under Spotlight in Geneva
UN hearing to examine Ireland's progress in protecting the rights of women.
File picture of Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald at an IHREC event. Image courtesy of IHREC Twitter account.
The Tanaiste, Frances Fitzgerald, will tomorrow (15th February) lead an Irish delegation at a UN hearing in Geneva to assess Ireland’s implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
The convention was first ratified by Ireland in 1985 and regular assessments take place to examine progress on different issues which include trafficking and exploitation of women, Gender Based Violence such as Female Genital Mutilation and issues affecting specific groups of women such as those in Direct Provision.
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) is one of the Irish institutions who made submissions in advance of the hearing and will be in attendance in Geneva tomorrow. In their submission titled ‘Ireland and the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women’, the IHREC provide an overview of the varying issues and recommendations which may help protect the rights of women.
In terms of women living in Direct Provision, the IHREC noted on page 114 that:
‘...anxiety, sleeplessness and feelings of anger, shame, and desperation were common amongst asylum-seekers and refugees living in the direct provision system. The Commission is particularly concerned about the impact of the system on the mental health and wellbeing of mothers.'
The OLA Sisters in Ireland work closely with migrant women in Direct Provision while also supporting the work of Act to Prevent Trafficking (APT).
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission was set up in November 2014. It is an independent public body with the aim of protecting and promoting human rights and equality in Ireland along with building a culture of respect for human rights, equality and intercultural understanding in the State.
The UN hearing may be viewed live from 9am-12.30pm and from 2.30pm-4.30pm on 15th February by clicking here.
Click here for more on APT.
Click here to read the full IHREC submission.
