[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Excellencies,<\/p>\n
Ladies and gentlemen,<\/p>\n
It is an honor for me to participate in the second edition of the Dr. Hansa Mehta Memorial Dialogue.<\/p>\n
Dr. Hansa was a pioneer in human rights and a champion of gender equality.<\/p>\n
One of India\u2019s beloved daughters, Dr. Mehta is widely recognized for changing the phrase “All men are born free and equal” to “All human beings are born free and equal” in Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.<\/p>\n
On the surface, a small semantical change\u2026. Underneath, a profound and seismic shift that broadened the scope of that Declaration to encompass all of the billions of souls on this planet.<\/p>\n
Powerful indeed.<\/p>\n
Without a doubt, Dr. Hansa Mehta\u2019s contributions demonstrate the power and necessity of having women at the table. Her change to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights underlines the argument that, without women policymakers at every meeting, at every discussion, at every negotiation, women will be omitted.<\/p>\n
With the Covid-19 pandemic exposing structural and social inequalities \u2013 with women falling through social safety nets and once again being omitted \u2013 it is critical, now more than ever, to amplify the power of women and to include them in the recovery process, to hand them the reigns to the recovery process.<\/p>\n
The power of women to lead and innovate must be tapped into if we are to emerge from this pandemic stronger than we were before.<\/p>\n
We need a sustainable, gender-sensitive COVID-19 recovery plan, one that recognizes those who were marginalized and works to raise them up.<\/p>\n
As Dr. Mehta demonstrated, this can start with a change in wording, and speeches, but this needs to be followed up with a change in budgets and in actions.<\/p>\n
Ladies and gentlemen,<\/p>\n
During the COVID-19 pandemic, more women lost their jobs than men. And many women who lost their jobs have not returned to work.<\/p>\n
Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵESCO estimates that 11 million girls may not return to school.<\/p>\n
Globally, over 240 million women and girls, aged 15 to 49, have been subjected to sexual and\/or physical violence in the last year.<\/p>\n
The World Economic Forum concluded in March that the pandemic has added 36 years to the estimated time it will take to close the global gender gap.<\/p>\n
This means, it will now take an average of 135.6 years to reach parity between women and men.<\/p>\n
This is unacceptable. We should all be discouraged by these facts and figures. We are moving in the wrong direction!<\/p>\n
The world must make every effort to ensure that the specific needs of women and girls are recognized and addressed; and that their expertise and potential contributions are harnessed.<\/p>\n
Whether in international forums or at local platforms, we need to raise awareness that human rights, gender equality, and the empowerment of women and girls must be priority issues.<\/p>\n
Seventy-five years ago, Dr. Hansa Mehta showed us a glimpse of the possibilities of a gender-equal world: healthier, more peaceful, and more prosperous.<\/p>\n
With greater political will and collaborative action, a more inclusive and sustainable world is no longer utopian or imagined.<\/p>\n
That world is a real possibility.<\/p>\n
As nations united, the decision is ours to make.<\/p>\n
I wish you a productive dialogue.<\/p>\n
I thank you.<\/p>\n
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Second Edition of Dr. Hansa Mehta Memorial Dialogue<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":361,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"
Excellencies, colleagues,<\/p>
I welcome you all to our second meeting and our first interaction following the resumed part of the session.<\/p>
Before I begin, I would like to recognize the loss of our dear friend and esteemed colleague, Ms. Gail Farngalo.<\/p>
A Liberian national, Gail was my Team Leader for Human Rights and was active on gender during both the 75th<\/sup> and 76th<\/sup> sessions. She leaves behind a legacy of achievements and a groundswell of respect and affection from across the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ and diplomatic communities. Her presence is certainly felt here today.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> When I took on this Presidency of Hope, I pledged to make gender equality a priority area for the 76th<\/sup> session. I continue to look to the board for its wisdom and expertise, as I endeavour to fulfil that pledge.<\/p> In this regard, I have already benefited from the board\u2019s advice, from when we met on October 28th<\/sup> last year.<\/p> Acting on that advice, I committed to ensuring that all my five rays of hope, and all my major initiatives, are approached with a gender lens.<\/p> I made sure that the composition of my office is gender-balanced.<\/p> I have committed to participating only in panels that have equal gender representation.<\/p> Throughout my official interactions and travels, I have endeavoured to meet with women, including heads of states and governments, scientists, civil society representatives, and youth.<\/p> And I am proud to inform you that five young women have been recruited into the Fellowship for HOPE<\/em> that my office recently launched. The Fellowship as you are well aware is targeted at benefiting young diplomats from underrepresented countries, pursuing careers in diplomacy or public service.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> While recognizing that we have a long way to go in the battle for gender-equality, I am proud of what my team has been able to accomplish within the past few months.<\/p> Our work continues.<\/p> We will continue to raise our voices on issues disproportionately impacting women, such as domestic violence and work place harassment. We will continue to push the importance of gender-equal work spaces.<\/p> And we will continue to find new paths to empower young women with ambitious professional aspirations.<\/p> Now is not the time to rest on our laurels.<\/p> With the board\u2019s guidance and support, we must use the many opportunities over the coming months to further empower women and girls, and dismantle discriminatory practices against them.<\/p> There are several upcoming events that will provide us such opportunities. I look forward to the board\u2019s suggestions on how we can best utilize them.<\/p> As an example, the International Day of Women and Girls in science is fast approaching. We must recognize that women\u2019s contributions in science and technology have helped us cure diseases; discover new horizons in space; and develop technologies that have vastly improved our quality of life.<\/p> As we celebrate their achievements, we must also open pathways for young girls who aspire to follow in the footsteps of pioneers in science and technology.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> Let us also reflect that the theme chosen by the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women for this year is on \u201cachieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls in the context of climate change, environmental and disaster risk reduction policies and programmes\u201d.<\/p> As we strive to meet our obligations to the planet, let us recognize the important work done by women and girls at the forefront of the climate crisis, and whose humanitarian work in disaster-stricken areas has helped save lives and rebuild communities. We owe it to them to not only celebrate their work but to support them.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> Our programme of work for the months ahead has been circulated to members prior to the meeting, for consideration and feedback. Please note that the events we have planned are not exhaustive. I welcome further suggestions from the board on the content and format of future events and activities.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> We have made much progress within a short while. And with the board\u2019s support and guidance, I am sure that we can keep up this strong momentum.<\/p> I look forward to working alongside all of you to achieve our vision of a gender-equal world.<\/p> Thank you.<\/p>","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[111],"tags":[550,556,553],"committee-meeting":[],"class_list":["post-261056","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-speeches","tag-ga","tag-pga","tag-shahid","et-doesnt-have-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\n