[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”-41px|||||” custom_padding=”33px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”-19px|auto||auto||” custom_padding=”6px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ text_orientation=”justified” hover_enabled=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″ image_icon_width=”100px” background_pattern_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.2)” background_mask_color=”#ffffff” text_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”text_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ text_text_shadow_vertical_length=”text_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ text_text_shadow_blur_strength=”text_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ link_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ link_text_shadow_vertical_length=”link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ link_text_shadow_blur_strength=”link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ ul_text_shadow_vertical_length=”ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ ul_text_shadow_blur_strength=”ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ ol_text_shadow_vertical_length=”ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ ol_text_shadow_blur_strength=”ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ quote_text_shadow_vertical_length=”quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ quote_text_shadow_blur_strength=”quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_text_shadow_vertical_length=”header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_text_shadow_blur_strength=”header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”header_2_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length=”header_2_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength=”header_2_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length=”header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength=”header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length=”header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength=”header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length=”header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength=”header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length=”header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength=”header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″]<\/p>\n
17 June 2022<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Your Excellency, Ms. Mayra Jim\u00e9nez, Minister of Women<\/p>\n Your Excellency, Mr. Rafael J. F\u00e9liz Garc\u00eda<\/p>\n Honourable Gloria Reyes, Director of the Sup\u00e9rate Program<\/p>\n Excellencies, Colleagues and Friends,<\/p>\n I thank you for the warm invitation. It is my pleasure to be here.<\/p>\n All the issues and topics we discuss in the halls of the General Assembly, and across governments and parliaments, relate to shaping the kind of future we want.<\/p>\n Those discussions, including the one we are having today, contribute to shaping the world that the next generation will inherit.<\/p>\n My friends,<\/p>\n First, we must let go of this fiction that the youth are indifferent.<\/p>\n Whenever I meet and interact with young people during my travels, I find that they are curious about the world, and keen to engage with its challenges.<\/p>\n They follow our words and actions closely, to see if they align with their priorities. To see if we can deliver the bold and effective leadership that they demand, and deserve.<\/p>\n They want to know if we can resolve the issues at the forefront of the global agenda: the climate crisis, peace and security, human rights, sustainable development, and recovery from the pandemic, among others.<\/p>\n They want to know how they can meaningfully participate in the actions and conversations that will resolve these crises. They demand to be included in the decisions that affect them.<\/p>\n We in turn, have a responsibility to accommodate that demand. To listen to them and secure a better future for them.<\/p>\n Promoting youth participation has been a priority of my presidency since the very beginning. I have continued to emphasize its importance in my meetings with world leaders.<\/p>\n I have endeavored to meet youth in all of my travels. And my team has made every effort to secure youth involvement in high level events in the General Assembly.<\/p>\n I am proud to note that one of the flagship initiatives of my Presidency – the PGA Fellowship Programme for HOPE, has given the opportunity to 8 young diplomats from underrepresented countries the chance to directly engage with the United Nations and learn the ropes of the multilateral system.<\/p>\n Friends,<\/p>\n I take this opportunity to commend the Dominican Republic for its role as champion of the agenda of youth, peace and security.<\/p>\n In particular, I note its initiative to present Resolution No. 2535 at the Security Council, which was adopted in July 2020, and calls on Member States to closely work with young people when it comes to issues related to peace and security.<\/p>\n Friends,<\/p>\n Conversations about the kind of future we want, also puts on an onus on us to reflect on the past.<\/p>\n To reflect on past-injustices and inequalities, so that we can fix those inequalities going forward.<\/p>\n Resolving gender inequality must be at the forefront of the agenda. For too long, women have been discriminated, marginalized and subject to patriarchal values governing their lives and bodies.<\/p>\n Their ambitions have been muted, their concerns ignored, and their contributions overlooked.<\/p>\n Women are disproportionately impacted by every crisis we confront today, from the pandemic to climate change, to widespread domestic violence and abuse.<\/p>\n This must change now.<\/p>\n I have prioritized gender issues throughout my Presidency. My team makes it a point to include the gender dimension in advancing all my major priorities and initiatives.<\/p>\n I am proud of the work that we have accomplished thus far to advance gender equality. My office has more women than men.<\/p>\n I appointed a Special Adviser on Gender Equality to ensure that women\u2019s empowerment and gender equality are mainstreamed through the priorities of my Presidency.<\/p>\n Recently, with the help of the secretariat, we have expanded and upgraded the lactation rooms in the United Nations\u2019 premises. And we inaugurated a brand-new room, located behind the General Assembly Hall, to ensure that all delegates, including those visiting the UN during high-level week, will no longer have to leave the premises to feed their babies.<\/p>\n My friends,<\/p>\n I applaud that gender equality and women\u2019s empowerment are both key priorities for the Dominican Republic, and I recognize its active role as a member of multiple groups and committees within the UN striving for women\u2019s empowerment.<\/p>\n I commend the Dominican Republic on the National Gender and Climate Change Strategy, which acknowledges that women are especially vulnerable to climate change and has tailored climate resilience strategies accordingly.<\/p>\n These initiatives are to be welcomed and applauded. However, there is much more we must do, nationally, regionally and globally, to empower women.<\/p>\n Whenever I meet with female leaders, diplomats, scientists, or members civil society \u2013 regardless of their country or particular field, they reiterate the same common themes and challenges.<\/p>\n They demand to not only be listened to, but also for the barriers hindering the progress of their careers, and preventing them from attaining leadership positions, to be removed.<\/p>\n Working together, we can reverse the injustice of gender inequality and build a brighter and more equitable future.<\/p>\n My friends,<\/p>\n I hope our conversation today, will help lead us in these positive directions.<\/p>\n I hope they will help us understand how we can build a better future for youth, for women, and for all of us.<\/p>\n Thank you.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":361,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":" Excellencies, colleagues,<\/p> I welcome you all to our second meeting and our first interaction following the resumed part of the session.<\/p> Before I begin, I would like to recognize the loss of our dear friend and esteemed colleague, Ms. Gail Farngalo.<\/p> A Liberian national, Gail was my Team Leader for Human Rights and was active on gender during both the 75th<\/sup> and 76th<\/sup> sessions. She leaves behind a legacy of achievements and a groundswell of respect and affection from across the UN and diplomatic communities. Her presence is certainly felt here today.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> When I took on this Presidency of Hope, I pledged to make gender equality a priority area for the 76th<\/sup> session. I continue to look to the board for its wisdom and expertise, as I endeavour to fulfil that pledge.<\/p> In this regard, I have already benefited from the board\u2019s advice, from when we met on October 28th<\/sup> last year.<\/p> Acting on that advice, I committed to ensuring that all my five rays of hope, and all my major initiatives, are approached with a gender lens.<\/p> I made sure that the composition of my office is gender-balanced.<\/p> I have committed to participating only in panels that have equal gender representation.<\/p> Throughout my official interactions and travels, I have endeavoured to meet with women, including heads of states and governments, scientists, civil society representatives, and youth.<\/p> And I am proud to inform you that five young women have been recruited into the Fellowship for HOPE<\/em> that my office recently launched. The Fellowship as you are well aware is targeted at benefiting young diplomats from underrepresented countries, pursuing careers in diplomacy or public service.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> While recognizing that we have a long way to go in the battle for gender-equality, I am proud of what my team has been able to accomplish within the past few months.<\/p> Our work continues.<\/p> We will continue to raise our voices on issues disproportionately impacting women, such as domestic violence and work place harassment. We will continue to push the importance of gender-equal work spaces.<\/p> And we will continue to find new paths to empower young women with ambitious professional aspirations.<\/p> Now is not the time to rest on our laurels.<\/p> With the board\u2019s guidance and support, we must use the many opportunities over the coming months to further empower women and girls, and dismantle discriminatory practices against them.<\/p> There are several upcoming events that will provide us such opportunities. I look forward to the board\u2019s suggestions on how we can best utilize them.<\/p> As an example, the International Day of Women and Girls in science is fast approaching. We must recognize that women\u2019s contributions in science and technology have helped us cure diseases; discover new horizons in space; and develop technologies that have vastly improved our quality of life.<\/p> As we celebrate their achievements, we must also open pathways for young girls who aspire to follow in the footsteps of pioneers in science and technology.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> Let us also reflect that the theme chosen by the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women for this year is on \u201cachieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls in the context of climate change, environmental and disaster risk reduction policies and programmes\u201d.<\/p> As we strive to meet our obligations to the planet, let us recognize the important work done by women and girls at the forefront of the climate crisis, and whose humanitarian work in disaster-stricken areas has helped save lives and rebuild communities. We owe it to them to not only celebrate their work but to support them.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> Our programme of work for the months ahead has been circulated to members prior to the meeting, for consideration and feedback. Please note that the events we have planned are not exhaustive. I welcome further suggestions from the board on the content and format of future events and activities.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> We have made much progress within a short while. And with the board\u2019s support and guidance, I am sure that we can keep up this strong momentum.<\/p> I look forward to working alongside all of you to achieve our vision of a gender-equal world.<\/p> Thank you.<\/p>","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[111],"tags":[550,556,553],"committee-meeting":[],"class_list":["post-267869","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-speeches","tag-ga","tag-pga","tag-shahid","et-doesnt-have-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\n