My Department leads on cross-government policy to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.
The Programme for Government commits my Department to publish and implement an updated National Strategy for Women and Girls. My Department is currently working to fulfil that commitment. A stakeholder consultation was completed at the end of 2024, the report of which is currently being finalised. This consultation has sought input from both the general public and representatives from across civil society. A National Youth Assembly was convened in September 2024 to attain the views of young people on priorities for inclusion in the new strategy. Once completed, the recommendations from the report on the stakeholder consultation will inform the development of the updated strategy.
It is anticipated that the updated strategy will be completed and published in Q2 of 2025.