Frances Fitzgerald

WPL Special Envoy to G7 and G20

Frances Fitzgerald, Member of the European Parliament: “COVID-19 has sharply brought gender inequality into focus. Across all sectors of society, from violence against women and access to healthcare, to the changing face of the economy and caring responsibilities, gender inequality has been laid bare. Post COVID-19, gender equality will need total focus and engagement by governments at all levels, civil society, the private sector and communities if the necessary actions are to be implemented successfully. It will be imperative to finally and comprehensively act, or women’s rights will regress. COVID-19 has brought horror, we must now grasp its opportunity to finally achieve gender equality.”

Bio:

Fitzgerald is currently a Member of the Gender Equality Advisory Committee to the G7 and has previously served as the Irish Minister of Justice (2014-2017) and Deputy Prime Minister (2016-2017). Fitzgerald was elected MEP and Vice President of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, along with Coordinator of the EPP’s Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM) Committee from 2019-2024. Earlier this year, Fitzgerald achieved a historic deal for a new EU law to combat Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence.