Speech

UN HRC53: Annual full-day discussion on the human rights of women

Panel 1: Gender-based violence against women and girls in public and political life. Statement as delivered by the UK's Human Rights Ambassador, Rita French.

This was published under the 2022 to 2024 Sunak Conservative government
Rita French

Thank you, Mr President.

Violence against women and girls바카라 사이트is one of the바카라 사이트most systemic and widespread human rights violations of our time. This violence deters women바카라 사이트s and girls바카라 사이트 entry into public and political life, attempts to erode the enjoyment of their human rights and their dignity, safety and ambitions, and ultimately causes many women to self-censor or leave public positions prematurely. I have had the privilege of meeting incredible women and girls around the world, listened to their stories and experiences as leaders, and today, I pay tribute to all of them.

And we know the challenges are multiplying. The online world is a new front where women and girl activists, leaders and human rights defenders in the public eye experience and witness violence online. Therefore, I call on other States to consider joining the Global Partnership for Action on Gender-based Online Abuse and Harassment.

Preventing gender-based violence as a key barrier to women and girls in public and political life is also a universal challenge. For the UK, this remains a priority, at home and abroad, which is firmly embedded in the UK바카라 사이트s new International Women and Girls Strategy, our Women, Peace and Security National Action Plan, and the 바카라 사이트What Works to Prevent Violence바카라 사이트 research programme.

Ensuring women바카라 사이트s and girls바카라 사이트 voices are heard - including in grassroots women바카라 사이트s rights organisations, movements, and survivors바카라 사이트 groups - remains vital. Which is why the UK has recently invested £38m to amplify women바카라 사이트s and girls바카라 사이트 voices in decision-making fora.

Finally, I would like to ask the panellists: What measures are needed to scale up gender-based violence prevention in order to truly achieve SDG5 and associated targets of eliminating GBV by 2030?

Thank you.

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Published 30 June 2023