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Tánaiste to endorse major UN gender equality initiative as UN General Assembly opens

Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin TD will attend the opening ceremony of the United Nations General Assembly High Level Week in New York on Tuesday (September 24th).

The Tánaiste will attend and speak at a number of events throughout the day, including delivering a keynote address at a UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) event on investing in women and girls in agriculture.

The Tánaiste will pledge Ireland’s support to the FAO’s Commit to Grow Equality initiative, a significant global process which aims to enhance gender equality and women’s empowerment in agri-food systems. By formally joining the Commit to Grow Equality initiative, Ireland will be pledging to make gender equality a key objective of its agri-food development initiatives around the world.

Ireland will commit €1.5 million as part of our contribution to the Commit to Grow Equality Initiative. This is on top of €7.5 million that Ireland has already dedicated to gender equality and women’s empowerment, including through programmes that protect and promote women’s rights, support women in the agri-food sector and champion women’s climate solutions.

Tánaiste Micheál Martin TD said:

“Women play a critical role in food production and farming globally but face a range of barriers that hold them back. Removing those barriers would significantly increase food production and farm incomes in the poorest countries.

“By joining the Commit to Grow Equality initiative, we are pledging to put gender equality at the heart of our agri-food work around the world. Our increased funding for female-led and female-focused food programmes will not only support vulnerable women, it will boost food production and income for communities and entire economies.”

The Tánaiste will also undertake a number of other engagements on Tuesday, including a tour of the new Ireland House facility and meeting with Irish community groups. He also attend a transatlantic Foreign Ministers dinner hosted by the US Secretary of State.

ENDS

Press Office

24 September 2024

Notes to editors:

In addition to the €1.5 million being provided to FAO as part of the Commit to Grow Equality Initiative, Ireland will provide an additional €7.5 million to other programmes related to the promotion of women’s rights and to women’s empowerment in agri-food and climate action. This breaks down as:

  • €1.5 million over three years to the International Fund for Agricultural Development and the Irish League of Credit Unions Foundation for a project that strengthens gender equality and women’s empowerment in agriculture and rural development.
  • €5 million over five years to support the Women in Sustainable Economy (WISE) initiative on gender-led climate solutions.
  • €1 million to support women’s activism and the promotion of gender equality and women’s rights through the Urgent Action Fund.