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Minister of State for Overseas Development Aid and the Diaspora, Colm Brophy, T.D., today committed to deepening Irish Aid’s partnership with UN Women.

Speaking at an online gathering of UN Women and partners hosted by Ireland from Dublin Castle, Minister Brophy announced that Ireland will increase its support to the agency’s work in promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment, in particular to respond to COVID-19.

Minister Brophy said:

“Ireland’s international development policy, A Better World, has gender equality at its heart. It is central to the transformation required to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and reach the furthest behind first. UN Women’s role in this is key, as well as being essential to the continued focus on gender equality as the world responds to COVID-19. 

UN Women is a key partner of Irish Aid as we invest in gender equality and respond to the challenges which the pandemic presents to women and girls. That is why this year Ireland will increase its funding to UN Women by almost 60%, to €4.8 million in 2021. This includes both core funding and direct support from Ireland’s Embassies for UN Women’s work on the ground.”

UN Women Executive Director, Phumzile Mlambo Ngcuka, who also participated in the online meeting, said:

“Ireland’s support to UN Women has been vital to our work in tackling gender inequalities and empowering women and girls around the world, including those facing devastating poverty, conflict and violence. The increased contribution will ensure that we can continue these critical efforts and support a COVID recovery in 2021 that is gender-responsive and that creates a better, more equal world for all.”

The pandemic has seen an increase in gender-based violence, the limiting of access to services and economic opportunities, and increased care work responsibilities, all of which have had a disproportionate impact on women.