Chair, excellencies, distinguished delegates,
30 years ago in Beijing and 31 years ago in Cairo, we all committed to promote gender equality, bodily autonomy and rights of all women and girls.
Significant progress has been made in advancing this vision.
Today, however, we are deeply concerned.
Rights agreed upon are being challenged.
We are witnessing a pushback on gender equality, women’s and girls’ rights, and the rights of LGBTI+ people.
Sexual and reproductive health and rights are at the center of this pushback.
Women’s rights are attacked in the name of protecting family values.
It is hard to understand why these rights are controversial for some.
Access to comprehensive sexuality education, safe abortions and family planning services, such as contraception, is essential for the health and wellbeing for all and for developing sustainable and peaceful societies.
Norway will stand firm to protect these rights and fundamental freedoms. We will defend established norms and rights.
Norms and rights our nations agreed upon in this very commission.
We – as governments – have a responsibility to do what we can to enable all people, young and old, to live healthy and good lives.
Our health systems play a vital role in this endeavour. Health is both a prerequisite for and a driver of sustainable development.
It is crucial that sexual and reproductive health and rights are integrated into countries’ paths towards universal health coverage.
For young people, this is especially important. Let us not hand over a world with less opportunities to the next generations.
When young people can voice their opinions and take on leadership roles, we foster a more inclusive, sustainable and just society.
I will now give the word to Norway’s Youth Delegate, Ane Breivik.
Thank you.
(Youth Delegate Ane Breivik)
Last year, I had the honor of partaking in the Youth Dialogue in Cotonou.
I was moved to hear the remarks youth, in all our diversity, had about sexual and reproductive health and rights.
We spoke both generally and personally.
For the matters you discuss here are deeply personal to youth. They concern us directly.
They concern our bodies, choices, futures, opportunities and lives.
Your decisions will impact us. Our integrity. Our autonomy. Our freedom.
And I urge you to be aware of your responsibility, honor our voices and protect our rights.