STATEMENT DELIVERED
BY
H.E. AMMO AZIZA BAROUD
AMBASSADOR/ PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE REPUBLIC OF CHAD TO THE UNITED NATIONS
ON BEHALF OF THE AFRICAN GROUP
AT THE 65TH SESSION OF THE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN (CSW65)
UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY
UNDER THE PRIORITY THEME :
“Women’s Full and Effective Participation and Decision Making in Public Life, as well as the Elimination of Violence, for Achieving Gender Equality and the Empowerment of all Women and Girls.”
NEW YORK
MONDAY: MARCH 15, 2021
Mr. Chair
Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,
I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the African Group. At the outset, allow me, to commend you for the excellent manner in which you are conducting the work of this Commission.
2. The African Group thanks the Secretary-General for his reports submitted under this agenda item and takes note of the recommendations contained therein.
3. This year’s Session comes at a time when the world is dealing with the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. We have witnessed a reversal of some of the gains that were attained, and the threat to global efforts to achieve women empowerment and gender equality has become even greater. The pandemic has had a negative impact on the livelihood of women and girls, and has increased the vulnerability of women to violence. We need to ensure that Covid-19 does not reverse the gender equality progress achieved in recent decades, including women’s participation in public life. Therefore, as we build back better, we need to amongst other things, ensure that decision-making bodies are gender-balanced.
Mr. Chair,
4. The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action is the most progressive blueprint for Action and roadmap for the advancement of women’s rights. In this regard, we reaffirm our commitments to full implementations of Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.
5. We recognize that legislation provides the foundation for a holistic and effective approach in addressing the root causes of gender inequality and in eliminating barriers to women full and equal participation in public and private life. In the same vein, the international legal framework obligates and guides States in the adoption of their own laws to address violence against women and girls. Member States adhere to a range of international instruments, such as, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of all Migrant Workers and members of their Families and the relevant conventions of the International Labour Organization among others.
6. The Group recognizes that governments have the responsibility of developing national policies and priorities in accordance with their international obligations and commitments to achieve gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls, and that the United Nations system entities should assist governments in accordance with national laws and taking into account priorities, realities and capacities. <