Delivered by Ms. Helen Kaljuläte, Counselor for the Estonian Mission in the U
Madame Chair,
I am speaking on behalf of the Nordic and Baltic countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden, and my own country, Estonia.
We thank the Special Rapporteur for addressing in his report the crucial issue of barriers and reprisals faced by women and girls to their enjoyment of freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
We have seen over and over that women play a crucial role in social movements and peaceful protests around the world. They transform policies, negative social norms and stereotypes and work to advance human rights for all.
In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic is showing us the power of women`s organizations.
One example of the leading role of women as drivers of change has been visible in the demonstrations in Belarus. Women are leading figures of opposition as well as active protesters.
Yet women and girls are facing violations of human rights, including sexual and gender based violence and discrimination.
As we are celebrating the 25th anniversary the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the 20th anniversary of the women, peace and security agenda, we should all make concrete commitments to address gendered and intersectional restrictions to women`s and girls` full enjoyment of human rights.
Mr Special Rapporteur, we share your view of the important role of digital technologies. Women and girls all around the world are using ICT and internet platforms to initiate social movements and to mobilize voices. However, women’s and girls’ full enjoyment of human rights must be respected online as well as offline. Measures must be taken by states to ensure that abuse, including harassment and violence, is addressed and that the digital gender divide is closed.
As you rightly say, some of the most significant barriers to women’s and girls` full enjoyment of the rights to freedom assembly and association are deeply rooted in the society. Women and girls may face violence and stigma because of their activism also at home.
– Do you have further concrete recommendations on what can states do, internally and internationally, to truly eradicate harmful social norms?
– We agree with you that the UN should ensure that women are protected from reprisals and have access to the UN fora. Would you have any concrete recommendations on how to achieve this?