Interactive Dialogue with the Chair of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women

71st Session of the United Nations General Assembly

Third Committee

Interactive Dialogue with the Chair of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, Ms Yoko Hayashi

Statement by Ireland

10 October 2016

Check against delivery

Madam Chair,

Ireland aligns itself with the statement delivered by the European Union.

We wish to thank Ms Hayashi and the members of the Committee for their dedication to addressing discrimination against women. We believe that CEDAW and all of the treaty monitoring bodies have an important role to play in addressing this issue in the context of the implementation of the targets set out in the 2030 Agenda.

Ireland advocated for the inclusion of the commitment to gender equality and empowerment of women and girls in Target 5 of the 2030 Agenda. We believe it is a prerequisite for achieving sustainable development and can only be achieved where the rights of all members of society are respected and protected.

Civil society organisations play a key role in highlighting discrimination against women and Ireland is deeply concerned that the space in which they operate is increasingly restrictive and dangerous.

CEDAW’s commitment to addressing the issue of reprisals sends an important message of support to organisations and human rights defenders who are at risk.

Ireland welcomes CEDAW’s ongoing work with civil society organisations in relation to the development of its Recommendations, including the recently updated General Recommendation 19 on the elimination of gender-based violence against women and girls.

We are interested in Ms Hayashi’s views on the scope for further developing the engagement between civil society organisations and the treaty monitoring bodies and if more systematic engagement can, in turn, strengthen their respective roles?

Thank you.