69th Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women General Debate
Statement delivered by H.E. Ms. Signe Riisalo, Minister of Social Protection of Estonia
12 March 2025
Chair, Excellencies, and civil society,
Estonia aligns itself with the statement made by the European Union and would like to add the following
This year marks 30 years since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action — a bold and forward-looking global commitment. As we reflect on progress, I would like to highlight some of the steps Estonia has taken toward our shared goals.
Estonia has made significant strides in addressing gender-based violence. Our victim-support system ensures a thorough protection for victims of all forms of violence. We are currently updating our legislation to adopt a consent-based definition of rape.
In Estonia, women’s participation rate in the labor market is one of the highest in the world. To support this, we ensure affordable childcare and a flexible parental leave system. This allows parents to combine paid work with family responsibilities. We see a shift towards more equal caregiving. Over the past decade we have decreased gender pay gap by half. We keep up the efforts to eliminate it.
Last year, we celebrated the adoption of marriage equality. Estonia has made progress in increasing gender balance in political decision-making. Today, I am proud to stand before you as a member of a government with full gender parity.
Dear colleagues,
While we celebrate the steps forward, we are witnessing a concerning pushback against gender equality. Our unity and collective efforts are more critical than ever.
Together we can alleviate the impacts of armed conflicts on women and girls and eliminate conflict-related sexual violence.
Anti-gender narratives fuel division and weaken democracies. We must defend fundamental rights through solidarity, civic education and by engaging men and boys as allies and agents of change. It is important to continue our support for women-led, women’s rights, and human rights organizations that work on the front lines of this struggle.
Estonia is counting on your most valuable support to become elected to the UN Human Rights Council for the 2026-2028 term. As a member, we would contribute to the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action as well as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Looking ahead, we must ensure that gender equality extends to the highest levels of leadership — including here at the UN. As in nearly 80 years, not a single woman has held the position of the UN Secretary-General, we strongly encourage Member States to nominate women candidates.
Let us commit to ambition and action by leading by example.
Thank you.
