Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 63: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will support the Plan International proposal to institute the 22 of September as the International Day of the Girl by voting in favour of the upcoming Canadian Resolution to the General Assembly of the United Nations on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27316/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The 66th session of the United Nations General Assembly opened on 13 September 2011. Plan International, a children's development organisation, is campaigning to have 22 September instituted as the International Day of the Girl Child. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, through Irish Aid, has a long history of support to Plan Ireland, which is the national affiliate of Plan International in Ireland.

In 2010, Irish Aid provided Plan Ireland with grants totalling €1,839,992. Over €1million of this was allocated to support the work of Plan Ireland in responding to emergencies. The balance of the grant supports long-term development work in West Africa which ensures that more children, especially girls, have access to well-constructed and equipped schools and better quality education.

Protecting and empowering girls is critical to advancing gender equality, which is a fundamental human right and essential for the reduction of poverty. Getting more girls into primary schools is a key objective of education programmes supported by Irish Aid in Lesotho, Mozambique, Uganda and Zambia. For many girls, particularly at secondary school level, gender-based violence is a key obstacle to their attendance. Irish Aid has supported Government and NGO child protection strategies and programmes in Mozambique and Zambia.

In order to have an international day instituted, the United Nations General Assembly must support a draft resolution instituting the international day.

I am aware that Canada is considering proposing a draft resolution on this issue. Ireland will consider the terms of the draft resolution when it is presented.