Caption: Ambassador Peter Thomson speaking on the Advancement of Women.Photo:MINFO
Fiji’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Peter Thomson, yesterday delivered a Statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China to the plenary of the Third Committee of the United Nation.
Fiji’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Peter Thomson
Speaking on the Advancement of Women, Ambassador Thomson informed the General Assembly that despite the progress and the achievements in the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action there still remain severe problems affecting women, such as high incidences of poverty, extremism, violence and discrimination against women. Ambassador Thomson called for expediting of global action at all levels to address these problems and their root causes.
He emphasised the Group of 77’s view that the eradication of poverty remains the greatest global challenge facing developing countries today. He said poverty eradication was critical in overcoming the challenges facing women and girls. In this regard, he said, “There is a need for genuine partnerships and strengthened cooperation from developed countries aimed at expanding opportunities for the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment and advancement of women”.
“The Group of 77 calls for intensified efforts at all levels in addressing the alarming statistics concerning the increased incidents of trafficking in women and girls, the violation of fundamental women’s rights, violence against women and girls, the wide spread of HIV and AIDs, unemployment and the lack of access to social services.” Ambassador Thomson told the meeting.
“As we deliberate on the post-2015 development agenda, it is even more imperative that national efforts allow for the inclusive and effective participation of women and girls, including the creation of an enabling environment to foster increasing political participation of women at all levels of decision-making” Ambassador Thomson said.
In closing, he made it clear that the Group of 77 and China reaffirms its commitment to the full implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, and will work towards the further empowerment and advancement of women.
Source: Ministry of Information.