– As delivered –
Remarks by H.E. Mr. Volkan Bozkir, President of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly
23 March 2021
I thank you, Soon-Young, for moderating this important event and, and I thank all of our panelists for sharing their insights and experiences.
Not all instances of gender inequality lead to violence, but gender-based violence stems very much from that inequality.? Prevention therefore requires us to address root causes.?
We need to keep having these conversations, and assess the progress we are making against the areas of concern outlined in the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.
In a previous engagement with the Group of Friends of Gender Parity, women Permanent Representatives to the United Nations asked that I raise the issue of gender equality throughout all of my bilateral engagements, and not just when it is clearly set on the agenda.
I have also made a concerted effort to discuss gender equality with members of my own Cabinet – you may have seen some of these conversations which I shared on International Women¡¯s Day, which I think was one of the best activities of my Office.
I assure you that I will continue to advocate for empowerment of women and girls throughout the 75th session of the General Assembly, in my capacity as an International Gender Champion. I hope you will join my upcoming engagement with civil society representatives, and my event on digital cooperation and connectivity, which will seek to address digital inequalities, including the gendered digital divide.
Dear friends,
If we are to shift the status quo and move beyond harmful norms and practices, these conversations must extend beyond echo chambers. We need to speak to people in our families and communities who may not be as well versed as those of us here today. ?
There is no ¡®right time¡¯ to have what may be an uncomfortable conversation, but it is up to us to make the time. If we do not speak up, who will?
I truly believe that by continuing to work together in this Decade of Action, we will end violence against women and girls, and become Generation Equality.
I thank you very much to all of the participants, I benefited very much, my team benefited, and I am sure everyone in attendance benefited. I look forward to sharing the results of today with the wider world.
Let¡¯s stay safe and continue what we are doing.