Minister of State Higgins to attend UN Commission on the Status of Women

Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Emer Higgins, will attend the 70th Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations in New York from March 9th.

The Commission on the Status of Women is the leading global intergovernmental forum exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality, the rights and empowerment of women.

The Priority theme for this year’s Commission is “ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls, including by promoting inclusive and equitable legal systems, eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and practices, and addressing structural barriers”.

The review theme for this year’s Commission is “women’s full and effective participation and decision making in public life, as well as the elimination of violence, for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls”.

Minister Higgins’ attendance will provide Ireland an opportunity to engage with global partners on gender equality. Member states and other attendees will discuss key developments, exchange best practices, and work together to identify ways to overcome the inequalities which persist between men and women.

Minister Higgins will participate in discussions on the empowerment of older women, preventing cyber violence against women and girls, and the role of education in advancing access to justice for women and girls.

By participating in the UN Commission on the Status of Women, Ireland reaffirms its commitment to a multilateral, rules-based international order and will continue to work with partners for the advancement of the rights of women and girls.

Speaking about her attendance at the Commission this week, Minister Higgins said:

“I’m honoured to be representing Ireland at this year’s Commission on the Status of Women, particularly as it coincides with the week of International Women’s Day. It is a timely reminder of the global responsibility we share to advance gender equality and ensure real access to justice for all women and girls. By engaging with international partners, we can address discriminatory laws, strengthen protections against violence, including online, and ensure that older women and women with disabilities are fully included. Ireland remains committed to building equitable legal systems and supporting every woman and girl to exercise her rights and reach her full potential.”