Distinguished delegates, honourable chair, and fellow committee

members of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women,

I stand before you today with immense pride as a representative of
Ireland. it is my privilege to address you on behalf of the Irish
delegation. Our mission here at the UNCWS is one that resonates

deeply with our values as a nation—one that celebrates diversity,

inclusion, and gender equality in all aspects of life.

In the pursuit of sustainable development and prosperity, it is essential

that we recognise the immense potential and talents of all individuals,
regardless of their gender. We firmly believe that empowering women
and promoting gender equality in the workplace is not merely a matter
of social justice but an economic imperative. Our shared goal should
be to foster a workplace environment that is free from discrimination
and bias, where every individual has an equal opportunity to thrive
and contribute their best .

Today, the employment sector is burdened with problems of equality

suggesting the concept is merely theoretical and not practised well.
For example,

A. Pay parity in MNCs and film industries. Women earn just 82 cents
for every dollar a man makes.
B. "glass cliff" is another commonly practised phenomena where
women are promoted to higher positions during times of crisis or
duress, or during a recession when the chance of failure is more
likely. if women fail, companies are free to reappoint males to their
positions without reproach
C. treatment of women in workplace is dismal. Rumours swearing,
verbal abuse, harassment, mansplaining, sexual assault and
emotional abuse are just a few incidents women face on daily
bases .
D. Women are expected to put more efforts for the same salary and
promotion whilst also managing household pregnancy and
parenthood. In all parts of the world, working women who become
pregnant are faced with the threat of job loss, suspended earnings
and increased health risks due to inadequate safeguards for their
employment...

E. More than one in four transgender people have lost a job due to
bias, and more than three-fourths have experienced some form of
workplace discrimination including sexual assault

F. The job placement of persons with disability is often threatened by

prejudices and stereotypes; even when they are employed, they
have less qualified and less paid jobs.

Gender equality is a priority area of Ireland’s home policy.

Ireland remains firmly dedicated to implementation of UNSecurity

Council resolution 1325 on women, peace and security. Another
priority is the prevention of a response to gender-based violence,
which undermines the health, well- being and livelihoods of millions
of women. Since without gender equality, the world cannot achieve
the new Sustainable Development Goals, Ireland pledges to help
maintain momentum behind both.

Ireland implemented its second National Action Plan on Women,

Peace and Security (2015–2018) relating to overseas development aid,
peacekeeping and diplomatic engagement, as well as regarding
migrant women affected by conflict living in Ireland, and women
affected by the Northern Ireland conflict.In addition, over 46 per cent
of Ireland’s bilateral Official Development Assistance is focused on
addressing gender equality and woman’s empowerment
The Gender Pay Gap Information Act, 2021 was signed

into Irish law on July 13th, 2021. The Act introduces regulations
requiring Irish employers to publish their gender pay gap (“GPG”)
information for their employees, the reasons for any GPG in the
employer's case, and the measures (if any) being taken to eliminate or
reduce GPG.

1. Gender Pay Gap Reporting: Ireland introduced mandatory

gender pay gap reporting for companies with over 250
employees in 2017. This measure requires organisations to
publish data on their gender pay gaps, helping to identify
disparities and encouraging employers to address and rectify any
gender-based pay discrepancies.

2. Employment Equality Acts: The Irish government has enacted

the Employment Equality Acts, which prohibit discrimination
based on gender in the workplace. These acts ensure that both
men and women have equal opportunities and are treated fairly
in all aspects of employment, including recruitment, promotions,
and pay.

Gender Equality Task force: The Gender Equality Task force,

established by the government, continues to assess progress and
challenges related to gender equality in Ireland. The task force
provides recommendations and advice on how to advance gender
equality in various aspects of society, including the workplace.