Women and Girls’ Rights
Protecting and defending women’s rights is at the heart of everything we do. Yet across the world, cycles of violence and oppression mean that women and girls are stopped from living independent and safe lives.
Unstoppable leaders for a fairer world
That’s why their leadership matters more than ever. Rights that have been won are being overturned. Stories of power and misogyny are in the news every day. When conflict and disasters strike, women and girls are always the most brutally-affected.
We believe that championing the rights of women and girls is not just the right thing to do but is fundamental to creating a peaceful and prosperous world.
We don’t look away. We act. We are working.
Women’s lives
Right now, a woman, is facing dangers no one should ever face. She is enduring multiple forms of gender-based abuse like rape, female genital mutilation and child marriage. Because so many systems are disproportionately male-controlled and corrupt, perpetrators often go unpunished.
Elsewhere, because a girl has to work at home, she will miss school, not be able to access healthcare or have proper nutrition.
Because of climate change, another girl has to walk further to collect clean water or fuel, making her even more vulnerable to sexual violence.
1 in 3 women
Experience physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime.
75% of unpaid labour
Is carried out by women and girls worldwide.
55% of countries
Do not have laws protecting women from discrimination.
The reality for women and girls
Here in Ireland, women and children who have fled from countries of conflict or deprivation are also denied their human rights and forced to live in unsafe and damaging conditions.
The cycle of oppression and danger continues as girls and women are blocked from living their own independent and safe futures.
Women also face significant barriers in participating in decision making processes within their own communities and in different levels of government. As of 2024, only three countries globally have reached 50% of women in local bodies.
Our work championing women’s rights
At ActionAid Ireland, we know that when women and girls are supported and given the right tools, they become unstoppable leaders who create lasting change. We’ve seen it firsthand.
Despite the challenges they face, every day we witness incredible women who show remarkable resilience. They work to rebuild their own lives. Every step towards a woman or girl in education, receiving healthcare and justice can make a difference.
We work in communities across the world, partnering with local groups to build change. We adapt to the situation and need but always give practical support. This might be through health clinics, legal services or business training.
Together, we also challenge the root causes of poverty and injustice. We tackle violence, promote economic independence and confront social norms that perpetuate gender inequality. We do this by investing in women and girls.
We apply this to our work here at home in Ireland too. Our Paving the Way project supports lone parents claiming international protection. We link them with people who can help.
We help women and girls to flourish
Woman by woman. Girl by girl. Family by family. Community by community.
Meet Irene:
A mother’s journey to safety and strength
When our local staff in Uganda met Irene, she was in a desperate situation. She arrived at our shelter to escape years of horrific physical and mental abuse.
Following the devastating 20-year civil war in northern Uganda, Irene rebuilt her life. She found land where she could farm and look after her children and found a new partner. But over the years he became abusive. He was shockingly violent. When this escalated to a life-threatening level she had no choice but to escape to survive. A neighbour told her about the ActionAid women’s shelter in Amuru.
She’d found a safe space to recover. Our team gave her counselling and medical treatment. Our legal support meant that her partner was eventually prosecuted. She went back home to her land and reunited with her nine children.
But the threat of violence and control remains. “The culture is that women should not own land. The man wants control. In this community you have people with money who come with buyers and surveyors. They don’t listen to the poor person.”
Because Irene survived her partner’s abuse and won her legal case, she knows she is strong.
“My life is much better now. Because I feel empowered, I have no more fear. I want other women to know that there is help for them. Now I do my own stuff without any man having an influence. I make my own decisions. I am free from violence. I am in charge of my children.”
Ready to Take Action?
Be a Catalyst for Gender Equality
You have the power to make a difference in advancing gender equality. Support our work today! Together, we can create a future where all individuals enjoy equal rights and opportunities.
End Gender Based Violence
GBV is a problem in Ireland and around the Globe
Help women and girls become unstoppable leaders
Around the world unpaid care work traps women and girls in poverty
Supporting Lone Parents in
Direct Provision
Discover how lone parents in Direct Provision are accessing their rights and rebuilding their lives
Women’s Rights Programme
We work to prevent violence against women and girls and to improve their economic wellbeing
Help women and girls escape gender-based violence
€30 Can help a survivor of violence access the emergency medical treatment and support they need.