Protect Women’s Equality in Budget 2013

Published: Sunday, October 07, 2012

Protect Women's Equality in Budget 2013

On the occasion of its seminar 'Bearing the Brunt? Women and the Recession' today, the National Women's Council calls on the Government to protect women's equality in Budget 2013 and put equality at the centre of its approach.

Speaking at the seminar Thora Thorsdottir of the University of Iceland highlighted how gender was an important factor in tackling the crisis in Iceland.

'Gender equality has been protected in Iceland because the government made gender a central issue in their approach.'

In response to her presentation Orla O'Connor, Director of NWCI, said, 'Ireland could learn a lot from the Icelandic approach where there was a clear commitment to gender equality. Budgets are about choices. The National Women's Council calls on the government to protect women's equality in Budget 2013 and put equality at the centre of their approach.'

At the seminar Dr Pauline Conroy and Dr Ursula Barry drew on a range of examples to show how equality for women has been cast aside in the big picture of the crisis.

Dr Ursula Barry said, 'Gender and inequality have come together in the crisis. The mismanagement of the crisis is having a disproportionate impact on women.' 

She added' Political decisions can be influenced by ethical concepts. We need an ethical framework in which to guide our decision making.' 

Dr Conroy added 'Gender inequalities are deepening. But the erosion of some of the equality infrastructure makes it difficult to highlight this.'

For more information, contact Silke Paasche, Communications Officer, NWCI:

Tel. 085 858 9104