Toespraak minister Dijkgraaf (OCW) bij de 68ste zitting van de Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)
Minister Robbert Dijkgraaf (Onderwijs, Cultuur en Wetenschap) sprak op maandag 11 maart in New York bij de 68ste zitting van de Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) van de Verenigde Naties. Elk voorjaar vergaderen de Verenigde Naties in New York om te spreken over de rechten en de positie van vrouwen en meisjes wereldwijd en hoe deze verbeterd kunnen worden.
Firstly, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude for our joint effort on the issue of gender equality throughout the Kingdom of The Netherlands.
Ensuring women’s full, equal, and meaningful participation is both a fundamental human right and a precondition for a prosperous society. Worldwide action is needed to ensure equal access to education, the labor market and public institutions for all women and girls.
Nobody can emancipate themselves. This is the responsibility of the society as a whole. As a man, I see myself as an ally and a member of a society that reaps the benefits of gender equality. We call upon boys and men to actively contribute to progressing gender equality.
It is increasingly noted in the Netherlands that girls consistently outperform boys at all levels of education, from primary to higher education. However, upon entering the labor market, women experience unequal opportunities and outcomes. Even today, a significant gender pay gap continues to exist and women are often burdened with more unpaid care tasks.
Moreover, many women and girls experience gender-based violence, online and offline. This makes schools, workplaces and homes unsafe environments for them, hindering their active public participation. That’s why the Netherlands has enacted a comprehensive national strategy to combat sexual harassment and sexual violence.
We all know that women and girls in all their diversity are crucial in all matters related to peace and security; as women and girls are hit especially hard by war and conflict – all around the world. It is therefore time that we all really start implementing UN Security Council resolution 1325 on this issue. We cannot do this without women and women human right defenders.
Additionally, The Netherlands wishes to emphasize that true gender equality covers women and girls in all their diversity.
At last: we join other speakers in commemorating the month of Ramadan. May it be peaceful and lessen the suffering of women and girls, everywhere.