Policies, Strategies and Challenges

Seven submissions referenced the “National Strategy for Women and Girls 2017-2020” (Pavee Point, DAFM, Ibec, ICTU, NCCWN, CIB and Aontas). Both the NCCWN and Aontas listed the objectives of this strategy within their submissions. Among these, the objective: Advance socioeconomic equality for women and girls is referenced in a number of submissions and is discussed more fully in the section on “Work and Family” below. Pavee Point’s submission discusses both physical and mental health and recommended investment in the “social determinants of Traveller and Roma women’s health”. Three submissions referenced the advancement of women in leadership or decision-making roles (Aontas, NCCWN and Ibec). Aontas argued that community education promotes the achievement of these goals, while Ibec recommended investment in childcare. The NCCWN recommended investment in community women’s organisations.

Two submissions (SJI and the NCCWN) recommended that the DCEDIY incorporate “gender budgeting” commitments into its SoS (among other budgeting concerns). SJI, for example, stated that:

The Department should work with Government to ensure that gender equality, disability, socio-economic, and poverty and equality analyses are applied to each budgetary measure