The UN has urged the Government to conduct prompt independent and thorough investigations into Magdalene laundries, mother and baby homes and the use of symphysiotomy.
The call is made in the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women's latest findings on Ireland following a presentation by the State to the committee last February.
It says there is a need to act "in order to prosecute and punish the perpetrators of involved in violations of women's rights and ensure all victims/survivors of such abuse obtain an effective remedy, including appropriate compensation, official apologies, restitution, satisfaction and rehabilitative services".
The committee also states that the Eight Amendment, which protects the right to life of the unborn, "unduly restricts access to abortion".
It also calls for the amendment of Article 41.2 of the Constitution to remove "stereotypical language on the role of women in the home."
It also urges the Government to introduce special measures including quotas for women in all areas they are under represented including local government, public administration, private companies and academia.
Chief Commissioner of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Emily Logan said Ireland has come a long way in recent years on the protection and promotion of women's rights and equality, including in areas such as women's representation and combating gender based violence.
"However, as is made clear by this UN Committee report today, a great deal of work remains to be done, including the need for the State to specifically act on access to justice for victims of historical abuses and to commit to tackling in a more holistic and sustained way, the challenges women in Ireland face today from public representation to gender based violence.
"These Concluding Observations form a clear 'to do' list for the State to bring its law, policy and practice in line with international standards on women's rights and equality."
The Pro Life campaign has meanwhile said the purpose of the CEDAW committee is to highlight and seek to eliminate discrimination.
"Abortion, however, is the ultimate discrimination as it targets the most vulnerable in society, namely unborn babies.
"Certain UN committees like CEDAW are losing all credibility as defenders of authentic human rights and have, in recent years, become nothing more than cheerleaders for the abortion movement."
