The Beijing Platform for Action states that “the principle of shared power and responsibility should be established between women and men at home, in the workplace and in the wider national and international communities”. Unfortunately, “the organization of societies worldwide is still far from reflecting clearly that women possess the same dignity and identical rights as men.”
Statement of H.E. Archbishop Balestrero, Apostolic Nuncio and Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva, at the High-Level Segment of the 58th Regular Session of the Human Rights Council: Annual High-Level Panel Discussion on Human Rights Mainstreaming
Geneva, 24 February 2025
Theme: Thirtieth anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action
Mister President,
The Beijing Platform for Action states that “the principle of shared power and responsibility should be established between women and men at home, in the workplace and in the wider national and international communities”. Unfortunately, “the organization of societies worldwide is still far from reflecting clearly that women possess the same dignity and identical rights as men.”[1]
This is a significant defeat, because already in 1995 States created the framework for advancement of women. Indeed, “the living heart” of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, its sections on the needs of women in poverty, on strategies for development, on literacy and education, on ending violence against women, on a culture of peace, and on access to employment land, capital and technology, if implemented, would have ensured a concrete advancement of women in society.[2]
Unfortunately, since 1995 discussions within international fora have been undermined by divisive issues that are not necessarily beneficial to women. Moreover, there is a tendency to disregard the family and to consider motherhood as an obstacle to women’s life. What we see instead is that women are often left alone without any support in their struggle to find a balance between their vocation to motherhood and family life and that to contribute to the society. What we see are women who have no economic means, who live in poor conditions, who are exposed to violence and, instead of being offered support, they are offered abortion, which is wrongly seen as an immediate solution to their conditions and suffering. We should face this realty if there is a true will to serve the good of women.
The Holy See wishes to reaffirm the God-given dignity of women and the equal rights of women and men, and its support for the advancement of women.
Thank you, Mister President.
[1] Pope Francis, Fratelli tutti, Encyclical Letter on Fraternity and Social Friendship, n. 23.
[2] Cf. Report of the Fourth World Conference on Women (Beijing, 4-15 September 1995), Reservations and interpretative statements of the Holy See on the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, Chapter V, n. 11.