Ireland’s housing crisis traps many women in abusive situations, UN hears

'Domestic violence remains a leading cause of homelessness for women and children,' the UN’s Universal Period Review said.

Ireland’s housing crisis is increasing the risk of homelessness for women and is trapping many in abusive situations, the United Nations has been told.

In a submission on the UN’s latest global human rights check-in for Ireland, the first in five years, the National Women’s Council of Ireland said that many recommendations from the last review in 2021 are still only partially implemented.

“Ireland is policy-rich but implementation poor when it comes to gender equality,” the NWC’s executive director Corrinne Hasson said.

“Unfortunately when it comes to the overlap between the housing crisis and violence against women, good policy and collaboration between government departments is also lacking. There is a lack of joined-up thinking on the mutually reinforcing relationship between these crises, and women are bearing the brunt of that.” 

Reviewed every four to five years, the UN’s Universal Period Review delves into multiple facets of how Ireland is performing on a range of issues.

The last review in 2021 also delved into sexual violence and housing issues, and while the National Women’s Council said important steps had been taken since then, persistent gaps remain between policy and implementation.

What's your view on this issue?

You can tell us here

In the area of housing, it said the Government must recognise the link between both the housing crisis and violence against women in its legislative and policy responses to these issues.

“Domestic violence remains a leading cause of homelessness for women and children,” it said. “Refuge capacity remains insufficient to meet demand and unevenly distributed, with gaps in rural areas and several counties lacking provision.

“The absence of sustainable, long-term accommodation options limits victims’ ability to leave abusive situations safely.” 

Furthermore, it said housing insecurity has increased the vulnerability of women to exploitation, including “sex for rent” arrangements and it said a specific named offence must be created to prohibit the demanding or offering of accommodation in exchange for sex.

The National Women's Council also highlighted a core pillar of the Government’s Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence strategy was on prevention and focusing on dismantling the social and cultural norms that enable such violence.

However, in recent years, it said that technology-facilitated violence against women is increasing.

“Legal protections, prevention measures, and education responses remain underdeveloped, particularly for marginalised groups,” it said. “Stronger online safety measures (including robust legislation) and implementation of prevention commitments are required.” 

Childcare

Issues are also highlighted in its submission such as women’s health, the climate crisis and a lack of childcare.

Ms Hasson said that gaps in childcare provision contribute to many of the inequalities highlighted in its submission, such as the pension gender gap.

“Despite increased investment, childcare in Ireland remains unaffordable and inaccessible for many families,” she added.

“Without a public system of childcare, similar to our primary school system, women will continue to be locked out of full participation in work and public life.”