By Holy See Mission
Statement by the Holy See Delegation
Delivered by Prof. Mary Ann Dantuono
Economic and Social Council
51st session of the Commission on the Status of Women
On Item 3 (a) (i):
Follow-up to the Fourth World Conference on Women
and to the twenty-third special session of the General Assembly entitled
“Women 2000: gender equality, development and peace for the twenty-first
century”:
Implementation of strategic objectives and action in
the
critical areas of concern and further actions and initiatives:
The elimination of all forms of discrimination and violence against the
girl
child
New York, 2 March 2007
Madam Chair,
On the occasion of the 51st
session of the Commission of the Status of Women, my delegation welcomes
the
progress made in favour of women over the years and hopes that positive
achievements in this field may continue to establish a sane and solid
foundation
for the future.
However, it seems incongrous
that, at a time when the sensitivity for women’s issues appears stronger
than
ever, the world is now obliged to confront new forms of violence and
slavery
directed especially at women.
It is therefore appropriate that
the Commission has chosen this year as its priority theme “The
elimination of all forms of discrimination and violence against the girl
child.” Every day, violations of the
rights of women, adolescents, and young girls are committed and even
tolerated
in many fields. Women bear the brunt of the world’s child prostitution,
sexual
exploitation, abuse, domestic violence, child labour and human
trafficking. The
international sex trade has become an important industry as degrading as
almost
any mistreatment of women prior to it. This trade is often passed over
in
silence because it is considered a part of supposedly democratic
freedoms and is
too deeply rooted in places or is too lucrative to confront, so my
delegation
commends those states and organizations that have stepped forward in
recent
times to combat and draw attention to this scourge.
The mistreatment of women is a
longstanding reality in many places and a disregard for the age and
vulnerability of young girls in particular is especially repugnant. If
we wish
to engage in a sustained process to stop and reverse this phenomenon,
peoples
and cultures will have to find common ground that can safely underpin
human
relations everywhere due to our shared humanity. There is still a
profound need
to strive to uphold the inherent dignity and worth of every human being,
with
special attention to the most vulnerable of society, our children and
all the
girls among them.
We would also do well to examine
why women and especially younger women are so vulnerable. This appears
to be due
to the inferior status bestowed upon women in certain places and upon
female
infants in particular. In some local traditions they are thought of as a
financial burden and are thus eliminated even before birth. In this way,
abortion, often considered a tool of liberation, is ironically employed
by women
against women. Even those allowed to live are sometimes considered as if
they
were a piece of property best disposed of as soon as possible. This is
to be
found in many parts of the world, due to prejudicial traditions
extraneous to
what should be a universally available and safe nurturing environment
for girls.
Besides the usual thriving channels of trafficking in persons, even the
institution of marriage is sometimes misused to give a safe façade to
sexual
exploitation and slave labour by means of what is known as “mail order
brides”
and “temporary brides”.
The trade which results in the
exploitation and profit of women forms a driving motive in this
equation. No one
profits from this except the traffickers themselves and the clients. In
order
to put an end to the violation of human rights of trafficked women and
girls, it
is not enough to sensationalize their tragic plight; rather there is a
need to
trace the question back to the market that exists due to the demand
which makes
such trade possible and profitable. Thus, if the reason behind the
violence
visited on women and girls is mostly cultural prejudice, exploitation
and
profit, which body should be mandated to intervene in order to overcome
this
situation?
This is a clear question of
human rights, since trafficked women have their right to life and
dignity
violated. Health, freedom and security, are all compromised in such
circumstances, to say nothing of universal rights regarding torture,
violence,
cruelty and degrading treatment. For younger women it can also be a
question of
forced marriage, the violation of the right to education, the right to
work and
the right to self-determination. Nor should we limit the complexities of
trafficking to a few social laws or customs, the construction of a
refuge here
and there and the social reinsertion of the women in question. Ways
must be
found to let them go home safely and without shame, and not merely have
them
repatriated; and if women do decide to travel abroad for work, they
should be
able to do so safely.
Raising awareness is a simple and
effective means to combat this phenomenon at the local level. Rural
villages
where the search for employment impels girls to seek work elsewhere need
to know
as a community how to deal openly with the risks to their young people.
Organizations with a proven track record already exist and could assist
communities in this way. Local and national politicians also need to be
brought
to account for their policies in this regard.
The promotion of women will be
achieved not only by the legitimate vindication of women’s rights. With
that
there must also be established a fresh appreciation of authentically
feminine
values in the heart of our societies.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
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