Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,

In the past 18 months, we have witnessed how the multiple impacts of COVID-19 pandemic have disproportionally affected women and have triggered a ‘shadow pandemic’ of increased violence of all kinds against women and girls – in private and public spaces, and online.

The pandemic has revealed the long-standing structural weaknesses of our systems to address the needs of survivors. It has also put a spotlight on the precariousness of the economic situation so many women — with many unable to challenge, or leave, abusive partners. It has also exposed the intertwined issues of mental health, for survivors and those who perpetrate violence.

We need to take urgent action to address this situation. Echoing the Secretary-General’s call for ‘peace in the home’, we need to invest more heavily in long-term measures to address the root causes of such violence, and make prevention and redress key parts of COVID-19 response plans.

I congratulate NO MORE and the Commonwealth Secretariat for launching this global campaign with accompanying tools and guidance, which will help us reach critical 2030 milestones.

Our efforts are more effective when we work together.

Through ongoing engagement and awareness-raising with Governments, grassroots communities, civil society and women’s organizations, local faith leaders and the media, we can help ensure the safety, well-being and dignity of every woman and girl.   

Thank you.