Remarks?by the President of the General Assembly,
Mr. Dennis Francis,
at the Indian Mission¡¯s Event,
¡°The Role of Women in Sustainable Farming Practices: The Extraordinary Story of Araku Coffee¡±
8 March 2024
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[As Delivered]
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Your Excellency, Ms. Ruchira Kamboj, Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations,
Your Excellency, Amina Mohammed, our esteemed and dear Deputy Secretary-General,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
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Greetings and joyful wishes to all on this International Women¡¯s Day!
My gratitude to the Permanent Mission of India for organizing this afternoon¡¯s event ¨C an event which not only honours the tribal women of Araku Valley but also recognizes their trailblazing role in spurring an agricultural, economic, and social revolution through coffee cultivation.
I also wish to take a moment to acknowledge the remarkable Coffeeologist with us today, Ms. Sherri Johns ¨C whose dedication and expertise have undoubtedly contributed to the success of this noble project.
The stories of women, as agents of change ¨C such as that of the women of Araku Valley ¨C must be told repeatedly, including within the walls of this very institution.
I commend India for sharing one of its inspiring success stories.
Empowering half the world¡¯s population to actively participate in all spheres of life ¨C including sustainable development ¨C is not only a matter of justice but a catalyst for societal progress.
As President of the General Assembly, I remain deeply committed to mainstreaming gender equality into all aspects of our work and to fostering an equal and inclusive workplace at the United Nations.
I recently had the privilege of travelling to India on an official visit. There, I witnessed firsthand the transformative power of ¡°Naari Shakti¡± or women-power.
From finance and digital technology to health, education, space, and aviation, Indian women are the narrators of their country’s development story.
I was energized and motivated by the many initiatives aimed at empowering women economically ¨C ensuring women entrepreneurs¡¯ access to finance and creating an enabling environment for them to self-actualise, in business, in community service and in their personal lives.
I also had the great privilege of meeting Her Excellency, Mrs. Draupadi Murmu, President of India ¨C who happens to also hail from a tribal family.
Adding to the long list of India’s historical contributions to the empowerment of women, I would be remiss not to mention the late Hansa Mehta,?India¡¯s visionary delegate to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights ¨C?who proposed to change the first Article of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights from ¡°all men¡± to ¡°all human beings are born free and equal¡±.
Since her time, India has been a steadfast advocate of gender-inclusive language in international agreements ¨C consistently paving the way for equality and progress.
But, as we have just passed the midpoint of the 2030 Agenda, the road to gender equality globally is evidently long and arduous.
Those underrepresented in decision-making processes ¨C including Indigenous peoples ¨C are most vulnerable to marginalisation and disenfranchisement.
Events like today’s ¨C spotlighting the stories of Indigenous women ¨C play a crucial role in amplifying their voices, acknowledging their contributions, and reshaping the prevailing narrative.
The story of the women of Araku Valley is not just about coffee; it is about empowerment, dignity, and autonomy of local communities.
It embodies a model of true social development ¨C fostering transformation, progress, and prosperity.
While I may not be a coffee connoisseur, I am nevertheless eager to learn more about the remarkable seed-to-cup journey cultivated by the tribal women of Araku Valley.
India’s dedication to championing women-led development serves as an inspiring example for nations around the world.
I look forward to continuing to work together towards our shared goals for the remainder of this 78th?session of the General Assembly.
Let us take inspiration from India¡¯s commitment to advancing gender equality, empowering women, and ensuring that no one is left behind in the pursuit of a more just and equitable world.
I thank you.