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23 June 2022<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Her Excellency Mrs. Jeannette Kagame, First Lady of Rwanda,<\/p>\n Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Cornwall,<\/p>\n His Excellency Taneti Maamau, President of Kiribati<\/p>\n The Right Honourable Patricia Scotland QC, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth,<\/p>\n Her Excellency Amina J. Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary General,<\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n Ladies and gentlemen,<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Violence against women was pervasive even before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, affecting 1 in 3 women and girls worldwide.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Yet the virus\u2019s emergence has compounded the underlying realities of sexism and gender-based violence.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Since its spread, 1 in every 2 women report that they, or a woman they know, have experienced some form of violence and abuse.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n This silent and hidden \u201cshadow pandemic\u201d reached alarming heights as the isolation and social distancing measures, enacted to contain viral spread, placed many victims in lockdown with their abusers. Very often those abusers were their own partners or spouses.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n When we speak of COVID-19\u2019s exacerbation of gender-based violence, we must realize that the underlying issue is not the virus itself, but the fundamental imbalance of power in our societies.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n This imbalance is rooted in the belief that violence towards women and girls is normal or appropriate behavior, and is condoned by society.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Violence against women and girls takes many forms. This includes sexual assault, domestic violence, female genital mutilation, so called \u201chonour\u201d crimes, and forced marriage.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n This violence is ongoing. As we speak, an additional 13 million girls are at risk of forced marriage.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Violence against women and girls is not only a human rights violation which upends the security and safety of its victims, but it also impedes women and girls\u2019 chances of being full and equal participants in society.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The trauma and scars of abuse can endure for the entirety of their lives. Children in violent households are 3 to 9 times more likely to be injured and abused.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Violence and the threat of violence can stop girls from going to school, from being able to choose if and who they marry, and from reaching their full potential.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Throughout history conflict has also played a major role in the exacerbation of gender-based violence. As an example, the violence endured by women and girls during the genocide against the Tutsi had severe impacts on the lives of victims and survivors, on their families, and on the country at large.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n These physical and psychological consequences cannot be overstated and must be addressed.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n It is important that we combat violence against women and girls by empowering them, and by reversing the legacies of gender inequality. This will require addressing discriminatory attitudes and beliefs, gender stereotypes, and social norms that tolerate and perpetuate violence and abuse.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Parents, educators, and policymakers all share a collective responsibility to challenge the underlying belief that violence is a normal means of communication for boys and men. The Education Summit in 2022 will be a useful opportunity to leverage momentum and to promote principles of equality through education initiatives.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Media also has a role to play in challenging harmful gender norms, including stereotypes that idealize violence and aggression in men and boys, and submissiveness in women and girls.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Ending gender-based discrimination and violence is a global priority that requires urgent collective action, which needs to be consistent with and incorporated into our recovery from Covid-19 policies.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n As we endeavor to get back on track to meeting the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, we must keep in mind that eradicating violence against women is critical to achieving each and every one of the SDGs.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n One of the most impactful levers to combat violence against women and girls is SDG5, which directly mandates us to not merely \u2018promote\u2019 but to \u2018achieve\u2019 gender equality.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Solutions must be context-specific and should speak to different regions and countries\u2019 needs.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n And those solutions must tap into the efforts and expertise of stakeholders across the board, harnessing the energies of all of society.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Towards that end, I am glad that this event will see the Official Launch of the Guidelines for the Implementation of the Whole Systems Approach in Addressing Violence Against Women.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n These guidelines will strengthen our approach to implementing comprehensive and holistic policies and strategies to ending gender-based violence.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n In that same spirit, I take the opportunity to congratulate the Government of Rwanda for the innovative and holistic approaches taken to end violence against women and girls, and child domestic abuse, through the Isange One Stop Centre model.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n This initiative was launched by Rwanda in 2009 to facilitate victims\u2019 access to support services, such counselling, filing police reports, and legal counsel. Many similar centers have opened in the country since, and these efforts are highly commendable.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Friends,<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n We must promote women\u2019s and girls\u2019 autonomy and choice. And we must guarantee the right of women and girls to live a life free from violence. In these endeavors, we must redouble our collective efforts.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The path to preventing and combatting violence against women lies in the improvement of protection and services for survivors, and in the implementation of measures to ensure their safety and security.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n It is our duty to work together on initiatives and mechanisms to prevent this systematic problem from being exacerbated.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Prevention is the only way to stop violence before it even occurs.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Together, we can tackle the roots of the problem rather than simply addressing its symptoms.<\/p>\n Together, WE can say NO MORE, and we can<\/em> eliminate violence against women and girls everywhere.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n I thank you.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Kigali, Rwanda<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":362,"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-268298","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