CEDAW Consultation 2016

The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission is conducting a consultation with members of the public and with civil society.

Your feedback will help us prepare a detailed report on women’s rights for the CEDAW committee and it’s important that we record the real issues affecting women in Irish society. There are a few ways you can take part in the consultation:The consultation is part of the Commission’s ongoing work around the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). il society on the human rights of women and girls in Ireland.

Inis dúinn faoin dearcadh atá agat ar chearta na mban in Éirinn. 
Comhairliúchán CEDAW 2016 

Complete our online survey on the rights of women and girls in Ireland

We have created a short online survey to provide you the opportunity to highlight your views, experiences and opinions regarding the rights of women and girls in Ireland. Click here to participate: 

If completing this survey has raised any difficult issues for you, here are some services that can help.

Women’s Aid 24hr National Freephone Helpline: 1800 341 900
Rape Crisis Helpline: 1800 778888
Ruhama: (01) 836 0292
Migrant Rights Centre: (01) 889 7570
Irish Family Planning Association National Pregnancy Helpline: 1850 49 50 51. 

Make a written submission

You may wish to make a more detailed written submission to the Commission. We invite submissions from individual members of the public as well as from organisations.

We have provided a template for written submissions, orou may also wish to make a submission on a more particular aspect of the Convention, or on a particular area of your work.

To download the template, for submission guidance, and for submission contact details, click HERE.

Attend our public consultations

Throughout September and early October we will be travelling the country meeting with local groups and individuals to ask women about your views on gender equality and women’s rights in Ireland.

Our discussions will be guided by key areas of concern already highlighted by the CEDAW Committee in relation to a range of issues, including stereotyping, violence against women, participation of women in political and public life, access to healthcare, education and employment. We want to hear your views and experiences of gender equality and women’s rights and invite you to attend one of our regional meetings listed below.

Please use this link to register for a meeting

Or email rsvp@ihrec.ie with your contact details noting the location of the meeting you are registering for. A light lunch will be served.

Please note that as places for each consultation are limited, registration is essential.

Statement on use of information provided to the Commission during CEDAW consultation

What is CEDAW?

The UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women is an international treaty on the human rights of women and girls, which defines discrimination against women, and lists what states need to do to end discrimination.

Ireland signed and ratified CEDAW in 1985. In so doing, Ireland committed itself to achieving equality between men and women in Ireland, including in the areas of political and public life, health, education and employment. Ireland also committed to having its record under the Convention reviewed every few years by the UN’s CEDAW Committee.

Ireland will next be examined by the CEDAW Committee in spring of 2017. This will be first time the Committee has examined Ireland since 2005. In March of 2016 the CEDAW Committee published a ‘List of Issues Prior to Reporting’ outlining its primary areas of interest as regards Ireland’s record under the Convention. The list can be downloaded HERE.

The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission is preparing a detailed report on Ireland’s record under the Convention to help inform the CEDAW Committee’s assessment of Ireland, and to highlight gaps in the protection of women’s rights in Ireland.

A central part of our report will be the voices and experiences of women and girls around Ireland. The Commission will be conducting a number of regional consultations with civil society groups around the country. In addition, we are seeking the input of members of the public and of civil society via our online consultation launching on 26 July 2016.

Please feel free to contact the CEDAW project team by: 

• Email: cedaw@ihrec.ie
• Phone: 01 8589601