Ahern marks International Women's Day

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has claimed Ireland's gender equality legislation is among the most progressive anywhere in the world.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has claimed Ireland's gender equality legislation is among the most progressive anywhere in the world.

In a statement marking International Women's Day, Mr Ahern said Ireland is "very often cited as one of the leading lights of Europe and the world in terms of the comprehensiveness of our equality legislation and our achievements in increasing women's participation in the labour force".

Without a doubt, women have contributed significantly to the achievements of our economy, and my Government and I are fully committed to their further advancement as key decision-makers in our society
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern

He said the Government's National Women's Strategy 2007 - 2016is due to be published shortly. It will establish a comprehensive framework of objectives, actions, targets and indicators to push the advancement of women in Ireland over the next decade.

The strategy will run in conjunction with Towards 2016,the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion 2007-2016and the National Development Plan (NDP) 2007-2013.

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The Government has provided funding of €148 million to implement the National Women's Strategy, promote equality and tackle violence against women.

"Without a doubt, women have contributed significantly to the achievements of our economy, and my Government and I are fully committed to their further advancement as key decision-makers in our society," the Taoiseach added.

Minister for Social Affairs Seamus Brennan addressed a lunch today in Dublin to mark International Women's Day.

Mr Brennan said that poverty among children of lone parents remained at "unacceptable" levels.

"The reforms that I am now finalising for low income families with children, and particularly lone parents, will wipe away restrictive rules, including that of cohabitation, and bring in more enlightened policies that will offer supports and encouragement," he said.

Mr Brennan said the government had "travelled some distance" towards making the welfare system fairer to women but acknowledged that many challenges and obstacles remain.