PRESS BRIEFING
BY MONICA GRAYLEY,
SPOKESPERSON FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY
PRESIDENT DENNIS FRANCIS
United Nations Headquarters, New York
22 November 2023
Video: https://tinyurl.com/5n8afs84
Good afternoon, everyone!
PRESIDENT FRANCIS JOINS UNiTE CAMPAIGN TO TACKLE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN & GIRLS
This morning, the PGA delivered the opening remarks at a meeting on the Commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. The event was part of the UNiTE campaign.
This year, the campaign’s team “Invest to Prevent Violence against Women & Girls” focuses on the importance of financing prevention strategies to stop violence from taking place.
Violence against women and girls remains the most prevalent and pervasive human rights violation in the world.
Globally, almost one in three women has been subjected to physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both, at least once in their life.
President Dennis Francis stressed that 86% of women and girls live in countries that
lack robust legal protections against violence, and less than 40% of women who experience violence seek help of any kind.
And yet, global investments to prevent gender-based violence are still far too low.
As a gender champion, President Francis is committed to the UN’s zero tolerance policy on sexual harassment and promotion of an equal, inclusive work environment.
Early in his term, he appointed H.E. Ambassador Keisha McGuire as his Special Envoy, and Special Adviser on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment.
Together with UN-Women, the PGA is launching the second phase of the gender equality and prevention of sexual harassment training campaign for Permanent Missions at all UNHQ locations.
The goal is to increase from 44 to all 193 Missions in New York, as well as Missions in Geneva, Vienna and Nairobi.
Mr. Francis is also using his digital platform during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence to raise awareness about this critical issue.
For him, gender equality is not an option. It is an imperative.
Mr. Francis shared the podium with the Executive Director of UN Women, Ms. Sima Bahous, and the Deputive Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA, Ms. Diane Keita.
More on the PGA’s remarks on our website www.un.org/pga/78 and on the PGA’s YouTube channel.
PRESIDENT OF UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY VISITED HAITI TO EXPRESS SOLIDARITY
The President of the UN General Assembly, H.E. Mr. Dennis Francis, concluded a two-day official visit to the Republic of Haiti, yesterday, by expressing support and solidarity with the Haitian people as the country faces multiple crises.
Upon his arrival to the capital city, Port-au-Prince, on Monday, President Francis held a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister, H.E. Mr. Ariel Henry, and emphasized that the international community has not forgotten the country and its citizens.
They exchanged views on the ongoing political situation in the Caribbean Island, including the impending deployment of a Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS), following the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2699.
President Francis encouraged further progress to resolve the political, security and humanitarian challenges in order to focus on the longer-term sustainable development of the country and the well-being of the Haitian people.
The PGA held separate meetings with several members of Government.
President Francis also thanked the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Haiti, Ms. María Isabel Salvador, her deputy Ms. Ulrika Richardson, and all the UN staff in Haiti for their dedication to the execution of their respective mandates under challenging circumstances.
In his encounter with representatives of political parties, the President stressed the urgent need to identify concrete avenues in which the international community can support Haitian-led solutions to restore and maintain the country’s stability and sustainable development. He also encouraged the active participation of women, girls and youth as an essential part of an all-inclusive political process on the future of Haiti.
Before returning to New York, the President of the General Assembly paid a visit to the Canapé-Vert School, in Port-au-Prince, and interacted with the students. There he witnessed the discipline of the students and saw the promise and potential of Haiti.
More on his trip on our website: www.un.org/pga/78
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