By Aingeal O'Donoghue
Ireland ranks 6th in the World Economic Forum Gender Gap Index for 2016, Sweden is 4th but it might surprise many to learn that Rwanda is ranked 5th. Looking at other countries represented in the Women Ambassadors' Network in Korea, New Zealand is placed 9th and South Africa 15th. In particular both Rwanda and South Africa rank very high on the political empowerment index with strong female representation in Parliament.
We all have much to learn from one another and no one country has all the answers to the complex questions of gender equality and women's empowerment. In looking at international best practices there is often a focus on the Nordic countries, and these countries are among the leaders in addressing gender equality issues, but what we see in the rates of political participation in countries like Rwanda and South Africa it is clear that we also have much to learn from their experiences.
Employment equality is an issue of continuing importance in Ireland, recognized as key for the economy, and for individual women, to achieve their full potential. It is central to the full integration of an educated female population so that women can contribute fully to economic growth and the broader development of Irish society. The idea that countries and businesses are losing out if they do not avail themselves to the fullest extent of the role and contribution of women is increasingly understood and was strikingly captured by a McKinsey Report in 2015 titled "The Power of Parity: How Advancing Women's Equality can add $12 trillion to Global Growth."
In Ireland the drive to higher rates of female participation in the workforces is underpinned by strong equality and anti-discrimination legislation and by a range of family friendly policies including flexible working arrangements, family leave entitlements, and at least 6 months paid maternity leave with robust legal entitlements to return to work at the same job with the same contract of employment.
The advancement of women in senior decision making roles ― both in the public and private sector ― is a key objective of the Irish Government. One recent initiative, aimed at increasing the number of women in the Parliament, requires political parties to have at least 30% female candidates in the Parliamentary elections and the measure is backed by serious financial penalties for non-compliance. The 2016 elections were the first test of this new initiative and it has resulted in an increase in the percentage of women in the Irish Parliament increasing from 17% to 22%. While this is a welcome increase and in line with the international average it falls well short of what countries like Sweden or Rwanda have achieved.
These are not just women's issues these are issues for men and women and for young and old as we strive to create more equal and inclusive societies in which women participate fully in political, economic and social life in their communities, at the national level and internationally. To quote from the Sustainable Development Goals agreed in 2015 at the United Nation, "Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right, but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world."
Aingeal O'Donoghue is the ambassador of Ireland in Korea.
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We all have much to learn from one another and no one country has all the answers to the complex questions of gender equality and women's empowerment. In looking at international best practices there is often a focus on the Nordic countries, and these countries are among the leaders in addressing gender equality issues, but what we see in the rates of political participation in countries like Rwanda and South Africa it is clear that we also have much to learn from their experiences.
Employment equality is an issue of continuing importance in Ireland, recognized as key for the economy, and for individual women, to achieve their full potential. It is central to the full integration of an educated female population so that women can contribute fully to economic growth and the broader development of Irish society. The idea that countries and businesses are losing out if they do not avail themselves to the fullest extent of the role and contribution of women is increasingly understood and was strikingly captured by a McKinsey Report in 2015 titled "The Power of Parity: How Advancing Women's Equality can add $12 trillion to Global Growth."
In Ireland the drive to higher rates of female participation in the workforces is underpinned by strong equality and anti-discrimination legislation and by a range of family friendly policies including flexible working arrangements, family leave entitlements, and at least 6 months paid maternity leave with robust legal entitlements to return to work at the same job with the same contract of employment.
The advancement of women in senior decision making roles ― both in the public and private sector ― is a key objective of the Irish Government. One recent initiative, aimed at increasing the number of women in the Parliament, requires political parties to have at least 30% female candidates in the Parliamentary elections and the measure is backed by serious financial penalties for non-compliance. The 2016 elections were the first test of this new initiative and it has resulted in an increase in the percentage of women in the Irish Parliament increasing from 17% to 22%. While this is a welcome increase and in line with the international average it falls well short of what countries like Sweden or Rwanda have achieved.
These are not just women's issues these are issues for men and women and for young and old as we strive to create more equal and inclusive societies in which women participate fully in political, economic and social life in their communities, at the national level and internationally. To quote from the Sustainable Development Goals agreed in 2015 at the United Nation, "Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right, but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world."
Aingeal O'Donoghue is the ambassador of Ireland in Korea.
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