STATEMENT
Human Rights Council 62th Session.
Item 3 - Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls.
Statement delivered Ms Marita SØRHEIM-RENSVIK Minister, Deputy Permanent Representative of Norway on behalf of the Nordic Baltic countries:
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden
Check against delivery
22 June 2026
President,
The Nordic-Baltic states take note of the Special Rapporteur’s latest report.
Mothers – in all their diversity– often face multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination as well as physical, psychological and economic violence, including SGBV. Moreover, violence against women may in fact escalate around the time of pregnancy and childbirth.
Structural neglect, intersecting inequalities, and institutional violence put parents at risk worldwide. The right to decide if, with whom and when to have a child and to do so safely is crucial for women’s and girls’ enjoyment of their rights and ability to participate in society. All women and girls, including those that are pregnant and mothers with newborn babies must have access to adequate health services, also in humanitarian settings. Girls must be protected against child, early and forced marriage and the risks of becoming pregnant.
Women’s equal opportunities to participate in the labour market must be secured. Parenthood must never be a reason for discrimination or harassment. Earmarked maternity, paternity and parental leave, quality and affordable childcare and equal sharing of unpaid care work are prerequisites for equal access to the labour market.
Special Rapporteur, how can we better prevent, detect and combat all forms of violence against women, and ensure that they are able to fully enjoy their human rights?
I thank you.