Remarks by the President of the General Assembly,
Mr. Dennis Francis,
at the Commemorative Event to mark the International Day of Women in Diplomacy
24 June 2024
[As delivered]
Ms. Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women,
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is my great pleasure to co-host with UN Women the second annual event to mark the International Day of Women in Diplomacy.
We gather here in New York on the heels of the inaugural commemorative event of this same Day in Geneva – co-organized by UN Women and the Human Rights Council.
Indeed, this is an important Day for us all, around the world.
And I once again pay tribute to the Permanent Mission of the Maldives together with a core -group of other Member States for mounting this initiative two years ago.
Gender equality in diplomacy is a reflection of our societies at large – a mirror of our progress, or lack thereof, in building a world that is truly inclusive and respectful of the rights of women and girls.
Throughout history, women diplomats have broken barriers and made invaluable contributions to multilateralism.
Would the Universal Declaration of Human Rights be truly universal today if Hansa Mehta had not insisted its opening line be changed from “all men” to “all human beings” are born free and equal?
Would it have even seen the light of day had Eleanor Roosevelt not used her credibility, at a time of geopolitical tensions, to steer the drafting process to its successful completion?
Where would we be today if Begum Shaista Ikramullah had not championed the inclusion of Article 16, on equal rights in marriage?
Or if Minerva Bernadino, Bertha Lutz and Isabel de Vidal had not advocated for the inclusion of non-discrimination based on sex in the UN Charter?
The contributions and accomplishments of women who have embodied and elevated the ideals of equality are too long to list.
And it is high time – and I repeat, high time – that the world supports and encourages their unhindered progress.
We know that when women have a seat at the table, peace agreements last longer.
We know that when Parliaments have more women in their ranks, they are more likely to ratify environmental treaties and adopt policies to tackle climate change.
It is no accident that the Paris Agreement stands tall today – thanks to the unique optimism of Christiana Figueres, who as Executive Director of the UNFCCC, shed light on the gender dimension in leading the tough negotiations to their proud conclusion.
She is one of many, many women leaders driving ambitious climate action – from the grassroots to the highest echelons of power.
Here in the United Nations Headquarters in New York, only 1 in 4 Permanent Representatives are women.
And in the General Assembly, they are co-leading key negotiations, including for the Summit of the Future in September, and its most anticipated outcomes – A Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations.
In truth, we must move beyond mere citing of statistics to concrete action – for a world where gender equality and women’s leadership in diplomacy are as tried and true as a sunrise over the horizon.
Universally accepted – and implemented – for the benefit of all humanity.
For this, we must pull gender inequality out from its tenacious roots – by challenging gender stereotypes, ending workplace harassment, redistributing unpaid care work and making the gender pay gap a vestige of the past.
And we, the men, need to get off the sidelines and actively engage in this common pursuit.
Men have an essential role in breaking toxic stereotypes – and modelling behaviour for boys and adolescents that normalizes the rightful equality of women and girls.
Excellencies,
To advance gender equality in diplomacy, we must start at home – in this House.
In my Office I am proud that a majority of the staff and team leaders are women.
I am proud that we have achieved gender parity in all the appointments of co-facilitators and co-chairs, as well as among panellists invited to speak at General Assembly events.
And I am also proud that – working with UN Women – we launched the second phase of gender equality and the prevention of sexual harassment trainings for Permanent Missions in New York and for the first time also in Geneva.
We know this is not nearly enough.
I eagerly await the day when more women assume the position I hold today.
And I commend those Member States that are advocating for gender parity in leadership positions in the General Assembly itself.
Excellencies, Dear Friends,
It has been my great privilege to work alongside so many talented women diplomats throughout my career and here at the United Nations Headquarters.
It gives me great pleasure to celebrate the many contributions of women in diplomacy today.
You are the role models – inspiring the confidence and drive of young women and girls to achieve their fullest, their fullest potential.
As we approach the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, let us live up to its promise – to achieve equal rights for women and girls, everywhere. Without exception.
I thank you.
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