ActionAid Ireland Manifesto: Four priorities for a just, caring world
As we see election posters go up across the country in the coming week, here at ActionAid Ireland we want to see those running for a seat in Leinster House committing to work on global issues impacting those facing poverty around the world, with a particular commitment to women’s rights.
The elections on the other side of the Atlantic make one thing very clear, we need to see more, not less, solidarity and a greater fight to address global poverty, gender inequality and the climate crisis.
We work with women facing injustice, inequality and denial of their human rights. Their lives are now more than ever defined by crises of climate change, armed conflict, economic injustice, and social inequality – all of which are connected.
We need urgent – and transformative- action.
States such as Ireland, who are committed to human rights, multilateralism, international cooperation, and women’s rights need to maintain these priorities in the face of global pushbacks.
To address the scale of the problems, transformative change is required, and we need to see ambitious commitment by those running for a seat in our next government to deliver this.
We believe this can be done by addressing four priorities. Newly elected TDs and Senators can foster a more just, caring and sustainable world, where women live free from violence, poverty and marginalization, this is how:
CLIMATE ACTION THAT TRANSORMS WOMEN’S LIVES: Recognizing the historical responsibility of a country like Ireland and the need to phase and out fossil fuels in a way that is fair, fully financed and enables a just and feminist transition.
FULFILLING OUR INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS IN A WAY THAT DELIVERS FOR WOMEN: Recognizing and delivering on Ireland’s international obligations, ensuring that they deliver for women’s rights and gender equality.
MAINTAIN FOCUS AND PRESSURE ON VIOLATIONS IN THE OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY.
ENSURE GOVERNMENT POLICIES UPHOLD HUMAN RIGHTS: Recognizing the need to revise the Irish and global economic architecture and fiscal policy, for a just, feminist economic system that centers care for both people and the planet.
These four priorities were developed given the series of global crises highlighted below that ActionAid Ireland will continue to speak about and work on with the next Dáil.
What they mean in practice:
Human rights violations in the occupied Palestinian territory
At the forefront of all our minds is the horror we are seeing in occupied Palestinian territory. In October 2023, Israel launched a military attack of unprecedented scale and brutality in modern times on Gaza, resulting in widespread destruction, thousands of deaths, and the displacement of countless families. Essential infrastructure, including medical facilities, water, and electricity, has been severely damaged, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
The international community has failed to stop this, and the attacks come in the context of decades long and violent occupation by Israel, recognized as apartheid.
The impact of climate chaos on women
Countries in the Global South—those least responsible for climate pollution—bear a staggering 75% of the costs of climate impacts. These regions face intensified weather events, economic strain, and increased migration pressures, all which compound poverty and inequality. Women are particularly impacted by the effects of climate chaos. They are 14 times more likely to die in climate disasters than men and the greater the gender and economic inequality, the greater the disparity between men and women’s chances of survival. Additionally, 80% of those displaced by climate disasters are women.
The issue of Gender-based violence
Gender-based violence (GBV) remains central feature across all global crises, including the climate crisis, and continues to be a largely ignored. One in three women globally experience GBV at least once in their lifetime, with a woman being killed by a partner every 11 minutes. This violence intensifies in times of instability, such as during climate disasters, armed conflict, and forced migration.
The pushback on climate action, human rights based migration policy and women rights
Another trend is a pushback on climate action, human rights based migration policy and women rights. In both the U.S. and Europe, political figures commit to dismantling progressive policies addressing these critical issues. Cuts to Official Development Assistance (ODA) in the UK are impacting women and girls in the Global South, reducing support and deepening gender inequality.
Systemic failures in the Global South
The economic models imposed on the Global South have systematically weakened public services, from healthcare to education. IMF reforms often force these nations to strip back their public sector and open their markets to free trade where they were ill equipped to compete on equal terms. Women are often the ones who bear the brunt of these cuts, as they struggle to fill gaps left by underfunded public services.
Globally, more than 380 million women and girls are currently living in extreme poverty. 1 in 4 women are facing food insecurity. This global economic system has failed women in the Global South most of all. Colonialism left countries stripped of their wealth, and saddled with harmful hierarchies, disproportionate care responsibilities and discriminatory gender norms.
