Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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93. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the integration of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in the Pact of the Future agreed at the UN General Assembly in September last; whether the global goals, commitments and obligations under international human rights standards in relation to SRHR are fully incorporated into the Pact for the Future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42383/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I welcome the adoption of the Pact for the Future by leaders at the Summit of the Future at last month’s UN General Assembly in New York. I believe the Pact represents a strong statement of countries’ commitment to the United Nations, the international system and international law.

The commitment to achieve gender equality is central to the Pact for the Future - as both a high-level action, and with numerous cross-cutting references to gender equality and human rights more broadly throughout the Pact.

In regard to the integration of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), the Pact includes welcome and specific reference to the two relevant global frameworks, the Programme of Action of the International Conference of Population and Development, and the Beijing Platform for Action.

The Pact commits to "ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights". While Ireland, in line with our domestic and the EU consensus position, continues to champion the need for commitments in respect of sexual rights, alongside reproductive rights, we welcome the inclusion of the UN consensus position on sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights. It is important that the consensus position is retained and protected in the face of mounting opposition to gender equality and sexual and reproductive health and rights. In retaining the UN consensus position, we welcome the absence of sovereignty or other limiting caveats in the Pact.

As well as over-arching commitments in respect of SRHR, the Pact includes robust text in respect of specific elements of the agenda. Notably, there are robust commitments to counter and eliminate all forms of sexual and gender-based violence, including in the digital space and in the context of conflict. The Pact also commits to address other harmful practices, such as female genital mutilation and child, early and forced marriage.