PRESS BRIEFING
BY MONICA GRAYLEY,
SPOKESPERSON FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY
PRESIDENT DENNIS FRANCIS
United Nations Headquarters, New York
11 March 2024
Good afternoon, everyone!
“THE TIME TO ACT IS NOW”, PGA SAYS AT OPENING OF COMMISSION ON STATUS OF WOMEN
The President of the General Assembly, Mr. Dennis Francis, spoke today at the opening of the 68th Session of the Committee on the Status of Women, CSW.
The PGA spoke about the need of breaking down the barriers to achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Mr. Francis also highlighted the urgency of a multidimensional approach and measures including: “Equal access to resources and services such as land, healthcare, family planning, education, and the labour market; Social protection policies that are gender responsive; and measures to end the gender-based discrimination impeding women’s leadership and equal participation in decision-making in all spheres of life”.
Mr. Francis noted that currently 1 in every 10 women lives in extreme poverty.
The PGA also recalled the epidemic of gender-based violence as alarming and reiterated that the time for action is not tomorrow, not next week, but now.
The CSW meeting will be held until 22 March under the theme: “Accelerating the achievement of gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls by addressing poverty and strengthening institutions and financing with a gender perspective”.
Tomorrow, the PGA will host a high-level event on the gender gap in education, long-term barriers and emerging challenges in a world of complex crises.
PGA ASKS FOR PROTECTION OF CIVILIAN LIVES IN HAITI
President Francis issued a post on his X social media account, this weekend, expressing “deep distress” by the escalating crisis in Haiti. The PGA said that the “international community cannot forget the lives of innocent Haitians caught in the middle of the unfolding violence” in the Caribbean country.
He also implored all stakeholders to take action to restore order, foster peace and security.
PGA MEETS FAMILIES OF ISRAELI HOSTAGES
President Dennis Francis met with family members of Israeli hostages held by Hamas since 7 October 2023.
The meeting took place on Friday evening, here at the UN Headquarters. One former female hostage was also present at the conversation with the PGA.
Following his meeting, the PGA issued a post on his social media accounts reiterating the demand by the General Assembly for immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.
PRESIDENT FRANCIS TO RECORD VIDEO MESSAGE ON RAMADAN
The PGA will record a video message later today greeting all people across the globe who are observing Ramadan, the month of fasting.
Over the weekend, President Dennis Francis issued a post on his X social media account noting that as the holy month of Ramadan starts, “let us in invoke the spirit of hope, peace, and unity for our brothers and sisters in Gaza, Sudan, and in every corner of the world touched by conflict and adversity”.
The PGA wishes Ramadan Kareem to all of those observing it.
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