Speaking to the Oireachtas Committee on Children and Equality yesterday, Dr Iris Elliott, head of policy and research at IHREC, said women and girls continue to face significant inequalities in their economic security, representation, care and protection from discrimination and violence.

IHREC is calling for urgent progress on economic equality, women’s representation, childcare and parental leave, violence against women and girls, and stronger legal protections against discrimination.

Women continue to experience lower lifetime earnings, a significant gender pension gap, occupational segregation and a disproportionate share of unpaid care, while women remain under-represented in political, academic and corporate leadership.

Dr Elliott said: “The time for waiting is over. We know what needs to change. The evidence is there, alongside recommendations and a roadmap.

“Economic inequality affects women’s incomes, pensions, economic independence, ability to participate in public life and their long-term financial security. The real test of Ireland’s commitment to gender equality is whether women and girls see meaningful change in their lives. We need to move from recommendations to results.”

IHREC is also highlighting the particular barriers faced by Traveller, Roma, migrant, disabled and rural women, and is calling for measurable targets and stronger action to address persistent under-representation.

The Commission is urging Government to act on recent recommendations from the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), including strengthening equality legislation and taking effective measures to improve women’s representation and equality outcomes.

IHREC said forthcoming reforms, including legislation on pay transparency and standards for equality bodies, provide an important opportunity to strengthen Ireland’s equality framework.