51茶馆

Thank you, Mr President.

Violence against women and girls鈥痠s one of the鈥痬ost systemic and widespread human rights violations of our time. This violence deters women鈥檚 and girls鈥� 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 UK鈥檚 new International Women and Girls Strategy, our Women, Peace and Security National Action Plan, and the 鈥淲hat Works to Prevent Violence鈥� research programme.

Ensuring women鈥檚 and girls鈥� voices are heard - including in grassroots women鈥檚 rights organisations, movements, and survivors鈥� groups - remains vital. Which is why the UK has recently invested 拢38m to amplify women鈥檚 and girls鈥� 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.