On October 6, Archbishop Bernardito Auza, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, gave an intervention during the debate of Third Committee of the Seventy-Second Session of the UN General Assembly on Agenda Item 28, dedicated to the Advancement of Women.

In his statement, Archbishop Auza emphasized the importance of education for women and girls, highlighting the specific challenges of girls in poverty and remote rural areas who may be excluded from the education necessary for full participation in society. Education is essential in enabling women to become dignified agents of their own development. He also expressed concern for the millions of women and girls who are migrants, fleeing their home due to violence or extreme poverty, and vulnerable to exploitation at the hands of traffickers. Echoing the words of Pope Francis, he summoned the international community “to welcome, to protect, to promote and to integrate” migrants and refugees, and give special attention to more vulnerable women and children.

His statement can be found here.