“Our Future Will Become the Past of Other Women” wrote the late Eavan Boland, Irish poet, in commemorating the centenary of Irish women winning the right to vote.

It is worth recalling her words when we reflect on the fundamental importance of gender equality in making the world more peaceful, prosperous and sustainable. We know that families, communities and, indeed, all of society suffers when women and men do not have equal access to resources or an equal role in decision-making. It is for this reason that Ireland has put gender equality at the heart of our development cooperation and our efforts to achieve the SDGs.