Costello announces €1 million to protect women and girls from violence

13 July 2014

by Cllr Joe Costello

Minister for Trade and Development Joe Costello, T.D., today announced €1 million in funding to tackle violence against women and girls during conflicts or natural disasters.

“Rape is often used in emergency and conflict situations to terrorise the population, break up families and destroy communities. Almost without exception, there is an increase in gender-based-violence during and after natural and man-made disasters and crises.

“The UN estimates that at least 200,000 women and girls rape in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have been the victim of rape since 1998.

“Violence prevents girls and women from reaching their potential and impoverishes individual women, their families and whole societies. The prevention of and response to violence against women and girls is in itself a life-saving action which needs to be an essential part of every humanitarian operation.

"The funding is being provided to the International Rescue Committee from Irish Aid’s Emergency and Recovery budget. Minister Costello attended the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict in London last month, which was co-hosted by Angelina Jolie, Special Envoy of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and William Hague, UK Foreign Secretary.

“At the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict I called for action. Gender based violence is the most pervasive - yet least recognised - human right abuse in the world. Today, through our partnership with the International Rescue Committee, we are again turning our global commitments into concrete actions to ensure that women and girls can reach their full potential and live a life free from fear."