Chair, distinguished delegates
30 years ago in Beijing, our nations committed to push for gender equality and advance the freedoms and human rights of women and girls.
Today, we are deeply concerned.
We witness dire backlashes against gender equality, women’s and girls’ rights, and the human rights of LGBTI+ people.
Rights agreed upon are being challenged.
The world is off track to achieve SDG 5.
We cannot afford to regress where we should progress.
We cannot hand over a world with less opportunities, to our coming generations.
We know that gender equality, inclusion, and diversity are invaluable investments in individuals, families and societies.
Through comprehensive care policies, full and equal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights, and strong women’s organizations and social partners,
Norway has included women en masse in the workforce. We know that these are investments that are imperative for economic growth. For innovation and stability. For sustainable, resilient, and peaceful communities.
We know that investing in gender equality fosters freedom, well-being and empowerment. Fundamental for preventing poverty. Fundamental for protecting against exploitation and violence, prostitution and human trafficking.
Norway will continue to invest in equality, inclusion, and diversity. And we will keep pushing for human rights for all, everywhere. Not only because it is the right thing to do. Our societies cannot prosper without. We owe it to the generations to come.
Chair, distinguished delegates
(Youth Delegate:) As a young woman in today’s world, the fight for gender equality has never felt more urgent. Now is the time for action!
Now is the time to amplify our efforts to uphold and protect the human rights of all women and girls, regardless of and responsive to ethnicity, indigenous status, religion, economic status, ability, gender identity or sexual orientation.
This begins with providing inclusive and equitable access to quality and gender transformative education - from primary school to university.
Comprehensive sexuality education must be integrated at all levels, and research on gender and sexuality must be supported and advanced.
Access to information about sexual and reproductive health and rights is essential for the well-being, bodily autonomy and survival of all women and girls, as well as for combating poverty, inequality, and discrimination.
Chair,
To fulfill the rights of all women and girls, real, equal and meaningful youth participation, as well as the active involvement of civil society, is essential.
When young women and adolescent girls are empowered to voice their opinions and take on leadership roles, we foster a more inclusive, sustainable and just society.
We must ensure that young people are able to influence decision making processes, and secure funding for women and youth-led organizations dedicated to promoting human rights and gender equality.
As we reflect on thirty years since Beijing, the path for the next thirty years is in our hands.
Thank you