Press Release: Justice 18 April 2007

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Green Party disappointed at 'lightweight' National Women's Strategy

– Timing of publication is 'more than suspect'

The Green Party has expressed its concern today at the lack of content and real targets contained in the National Women's Strategy published earlier today.

Green Party Justice spokesperson Ciarán Cuffe TD said: "The National Women's Strategy document published today falls very short of the expectations of those working to improve the lives of women in Ireland. Under Minister of State for Equality Fahey's watch, this Strategy has been languishing for over three years now. Is it not a little more than suspect that the Government waited until we are weeks from a general election to publish this document?

"It is extremely disappointing that does not set real targets for female representation on State Boards and in politics in Ireland. The document states that "Government/Ministers will appoint members to State Boards in line with the gender targets set by Government". The fact remains that this Government has failed to meet its own targets over the past 10 years, why should we believe that this will now change. The Strategy also calls for political parties to develop action plans and to "publish gender disaggregated statistics on participation and representation", but this is nothing more than paying lip service to problem of Ireland atrocious performance on getting women involved in politics.

Green Party Spokesperson on Women's Affairs Cllr Bronwen Maher said: "On the issue of domestic violence the National Women's Strategy falls far short of what we as a society should be doing to tackle this most insidious of crimes. The safety of victims of domestic violence must always come first. We are all too aware of the severe lack of emergency accommodation available in the State for victims of domestic abuse. The Strategy fails to give concrete details of how this problem will be addressed by the local authorities. The Strategy also fails to make any provision for transitional housing for these women.

"It is difficult to have faith in a Government which only months ago was prepared to allow the National Domestic Violence Intervention Agency close its doors due to a lack of funding."