By Holy See Mission
Statement by H.E. Archbishop Celestino MiglioreApostolic Nuncio
Head of the Holy See Delegationto the Economic and Social
CouncilSubstantive Session for 2010High-level
SegmentImplementing the internationally agreed goals and commitmentsin
regard to gender equality and empowerment of womenNew York, 1 July
2010
Mr. President,
This year’s substantive session is particularly pertinent leading up to the
long expected World Summit on the MDGs. All women and girls who are affected by
the MDGs look forward towards an increased recognition of their value and
equality as well as their dignified role in development. Any deliberation on the
matter will be incomplete without ensuring the advancement of women, who are
dynamic agents of development in the family, society and the world.
Ever since world leaders committed their governments to the ambitious
objective of attaining the MDGs, some remarkable progress has been achieved in
mainstreaming women’s perspectives in development both in multilateral and
national policies. Even those countries lagging behind in many aspects of
development are giving more prominence to the role of women in public life,
especially in the political arena.
The empowerment of women presupposes universal human dignity and, thus, the
dignity of each and every individual. The notion denotes complementarity between
man and woman, which means equality in diversity: where equality and diversity
are based on biological data, expressed traditionally by male and female
sexuality, and on the primacy of the person. It concerns also roles to be held
and functions to be performed in society. In that regard, equality is not
sameness, and difference is not inequality.
Empowerment of women for development means also recognition of the gifts and
talents of every woman and is affirmed through the provision of better health
care, education and equal opportunities. Empowering women and respecting their
dignity mean also honoring their capacity to serve and devote themselves to
society and to the family through motherhood which entails a self-giving love
and care-giving. Altruism, dedication and service to others are healthy and
contribute to personal dignity. If domesticity can be considered a particular
gift of mothers in cultivating a genuine intrapersonal relationship in the
family and society, then family-friendly working arrangements, shared
family-care leave and redistribution of the burden of unpaid work will be given
the attention they rightly deserve.
The Holy See notes with concern that inequalities between individuals and
between countries thrive and various forms of discrimination, exploitation and
oppression of women and girls persist, which must be addressed by the provision
of adequate social protection measures for them, as appropriate to national
contexts.
In the health sector there is a need to eliminate inequalities between men
and women and increase the capacity of women to care for themselves principally
by being afforded adequate health care. Scientific studies have shown remarkable
improvement in the reduction of maternal and infant mortality, revealing the
importance of complementary investing in other areas relevant to women and girls
including nutrition, general health and education. The real advancement of women
is not achieved by concentrating on a particular health issue to the neglect of
others but by promoting their overall health which necessarily includes giving
more attention to addressing women-specific diseases.
Women’s economic empowerment is essential for the economic development of the
family and of society. Access to land and property, credit facilities and equal
opportunities for financial services for women will help ensure their economic
stability. In this process, the whole household and community must support their
entrepreneurship. The ethical dimension of their development and economic
empowerment as well as their service to the family must not be overlooked.
Tragically, violence against women, especially in the home and work place,
and discrimination in the professional field, even on the pay and pension scale,
are growing concerns. Through adequate legal frame-works and national policies,
perpetrators of violence must be brought to justice and women must be afforded
rehabilitation. Women and girls must be guaranteed their full enjoyment of
civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights including equal access to
education and health.
My delegation supports the initiatives in favour of the rights in particular
of women migrants and refugees and women with disabilities. Human rights
learning campaigns especially for girls and women must be promoted, even from
early school days and also through non-formal education. Civil society and NGOs,
women’s associations and faith-based organizations can contribute a great deal
in human rights learning and in quality education.
In concluding, Mr. President, the more the dignity of women is protected and
promoted, the more the family, the community and society will truly be fostered.
Thank you, Mr. President.
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