Equality For Women Measure 2010-2013

Irish and EU Policy Context

Patrick O’LearyGender Equality Division,

Department of Justice and Equality

Ashling Hotel, Parkgate St, Dublin 8Thursday 6 October 2011

Irish Government Policy

• Irish Constitution

• Equality Legislation

• National Women’s Strategy 2007-2016

• Promote positive action through Equality for Women Measure (EWM)

Dept of Justice and EqualityGender Equality Division

•Foster the achievement of equality

•Oversee implementation of National Women’s Strategy

•Implement Positive Actions through EWM with Pobal

•Represent Ireland at international meetings and bring home good

practice

Legislation• Employment Equality Acts

• Equal Status Acts

• Acts covering Maternity Leave, Parental Leave and Adoptive Leave

• National Minimum Wage Act

• Protection of Employees Acts

NATIONAL WOMEN’S STRATEGY2007 - 2016

VISIONAn Ireland where

all women enjoy

equality with men and

can achieve their full potential,

while enjoying

a safe and fulfilling life.

200 actions under 20 objectives

NATIONAL WOMEN’S STRATEGY

KEY THEMES

Ensuring Women’s Well being

Engaging Women as Equal and

Active Citizens

Equalising Socio

EconomicOpportunityFor Women

WOMEN IN

IRELAND

NWS - THEME 1• EQUALISING SOCIO-ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY

– Work• Increasing nos. of women at work• Tackling the gender pay gap• Advancing women up the career ladder

– Education and women• Subject choices• Women as principals/professors

– Women and caring • Childcare, Caring for disabled family members, Elder care

– Women and poverty• Family wellbeing, Lone parents, Older age, including pensions

NWS - THEME 2

– ENSURING WOMEN’S WELLBEING • Work life balance• Health, Healthy lifestyles, Sport• Health and safety particularly for pregnant

and breast feeding women• Violence against Women – COSC established

to prepare National Strategy• Trafficking of Women –Anti-Human

Trafficking Unit and new law

NWS - THEME 3

ENGAGING WOMEN AS EQUAL AND ACTIVE CITIZENS

Women in decision making• State Boards – target of 40 per cent • On boards of private companies• Politics

Support for women in developing countries

EQUALITY FOR WOMEN MEASURE 2007 – 2013

• ESF funds to Ireland

• EU places emphasis on gender equality

• Department’s role is to try maintain funding, develop & oversee

• Helped hugely by Pobal

• Department rely on groups to keep records – finance, statistics, data etc

EQUALITY FOR WOMEN MEASURE 2007 – 2013

• Programme of Positive Actions – ESF/Exchequer Grants for activities to

support• Access to employment – for women

outside the labour market and experiencing disadvantage

• Female entrepreneurship – budding/early stage entrepreneurs

• Career development – advancing careers

– €2.4 million of ESF and Exchequer per annum

EQUALITY FOR WOMEN MEASURE 2007 – 2013

• During 2010, over 75 projects were active in supporting the development of women’s economic engagement with 4,700 availing of training

• Female entrepreneurship – over 200 women have participated in mentoring and development events

• 41 projects approved under 2011 phase of

programme

• Need to launch Leadership Strand depending on outcome of NWS Sub-Committee and on 2012 funding

INTERNATIONAL DIMENSION

• European Union – economic perspective

Strategy on GEEmploymentGender pay gapWomen and Decision-makingViolence against women

• United Nations – human rights