Mr. Frank Fahey, T.D., Minister of State with special responsibility for Equality at the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, today addressed a major EU-wide Gender Equality Conference in Brussels. The purpose of the conference, organised by the European Commission, is to create awareness of the new Road Map for Gender Equality which is being implemented to achieve the goal of gender equality across Europe.
The Conference is focusing on the challenges in achieving real equality between women and men throughout the EU and has brought together the European Commission, European Parliament, EU Member States, acceding/candidate/EEA/EFTA countries, social partners, equality bodies and NGOs.
Discussions are focusing on the six priorities in the Road Map - equal economic independence, reconciliation policies, equal participation in decision-making, eliminating stereotypes, combating violence and trafficking, and promoting gender equality outside the EU.
Welcoming the Road Map, Minister of State Fahey noted the significant influence of EU membership on Ireland and particularly pointed to the significant role played by Irish women in the growth of the Irish economy.
The Minister said, "I believe that the inclusion of a gender focus within the European Social Funds and other broad ranging EU policy papers will keep gender on the agenda for policy makers across all sectors. This is very important as it is clear that there are still many dilemmas, challenges and problems for our female populations and the Gender Road Map offers us a useful tool to find our way through these challenges".
4 May 2006