Ireland gets richer, as women lose out!

Published: Thursday, July 15, 2004

'' The results of the UN Human Development Report is further evidence of the Government's lack of action and commitment to women's rights in Ireland,'' stated Orla O'Connor, Head of Policy at the National Women's Council of Ireland after the launch of the UN Human Development Report. The NWCI has called on the Government to change its priorities and focus on women, particularly women living in poverty in Ireland.

Despite the fact that Ireland is placed 10th in the 'Human Development Index', which measures quality of life, our country remains one of the most unequal societies of all western nations. The report has shown that this is particularly true for women, who have clearly been left behind.

The 'Gender Related Index', which compares men and women, in a number of key areas, including 'Estimated Earned Income', places Ireland 14th (UK is 9th). The Report highlights that women are earning significantly less than men in Ireland (40% less). The NWCI feels that it is no coincidence therefore, that Ireland drops to 16th place on the 'Human and Income Poverty Index', which looks at people living below the poverty line. Orla O'Connor, Head of Policy at the NWCI stated: ''In Ireland, the majority of people living below the poverty line are women. The fact is that women have been at greater risk of poverty than men, since the 1990s. Sadly, this situation is not changing, despite Ireland's unprecedented growth rates.''

The NWCI also highlighted the 'Gender Empowerment Measure' in the Report, which places Ireland 16th. The measure relates to women's representation, and women in decision-making positions, in comparison to men. ''The result of the Gender Empowerment Measure comes as no surprise to the NWCI'' stated Ms O'Connor.

''51% of our population are women, but only 13.3% of those elected to the Dail are women. At this rate, it would take 370 years for the percentage in the Dail to reach 50%'' she continued. The NWCI has long been calling on all political parties to introduce measures to increase the number of women in decision-making positions in Ireland.

''The UN Report highlights the serious implications of inequality for many women in Ireland today. It is about time the Government changed its priorities and focused on women, and in particular on marginalised women living in poverty'' concluded Ms O'Connor.