Published on 

Minister Coveney attends high-level launch of global initiative to eliminate violence against women and girls

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney, TD, is attending the launch of a new EU/UN Gender Initiative to eliminate violence against women and girls during his programme of engagements in New York for the United Nations General Assembly.

The Initiative will be placing a strategic focus on the most prevalent forms of violence against women and girls, including sexual and gender based violence, harmful practices, domestic and family violence, femicide, trafficking in human beings and economic exploitation.

"Ireland is committed to working towards the elimination of violence against women and girls whether physical, sexual, emotional or economic, which is recognised globally as one of the most widespread and persistent methods of violating the rights of women and girls. It is a universal problem; it cuts across geography, class and culture.

"A strong commitment to the eradication of violence against women and girls was enshrined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and specific indicators and targets have been agreed by which we can measure progress and hold ourselves to account. Ireland, together with Kenya, played a central role in this process as the co-facilitators of the final phase of negotiations of the SDGs.

This Initiative is another step forward in our global fight to end violence against women and girls worldwide and I was delighted to get a chance to be here today to re-emphasise that this is a priority for Ireland."

Initially the Initiative is expected to have an overall budget in the range of €500 million, and a call for proposals will issue to Civil Society Organisations before the end of the year.

The event will be attended by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, High Representative of the European Union Federica Mogherini, EU Commissioner Neven Mimica and UN Deputy Secretary General Amina Mohammed.