New York, 9 October 2024
 

Mr. Chair,

The advancement of women and the recognition of their equal dignity are essential to a just society. While recognizing the progress that has been made, we must continue to combat all harmful stereotypes that deny women and girls equal opportunities.

Violence against women is, as Pope Francis has stressed, “a poisonous weed that plagues our society and must be pulled up from its roots.”[1] Domestic violence, most often hidden behind closed doors, is particularly insidious. There is a critical need for a joint response that involves both women and men to combat this scourge.
Women and girls account for approximately 60% of identified victims of trafficking in persons and make up the vast majority of those trafficked for sexual exploitation.[2] This includes trafficking for prostitution and pornography, activities which are characterized by violence, coercion, and drug abuse. These aspects of sexual exploitation are intrinsic to underground “industries” which make shameful profits from the abuse of women and girls. At the same time, it must be emphasized that normalizing pornography and legalizing prostitution would in no way prevent women from being subjected to such inhuman and degrading treatments. Proposals to move in this direction are therefore disturbing and regressive. The root causes should be seriously addressed. This includes combatting poverty, ensuring education for all, and promoting the family, as well as working to eliminate the demand that fuels the exploitation of women and girls.

Mr. Chair,

The advancement of women cannot be fully achieved without respecting women’s unique capacities, including motherhood. This requires a renewed commitment to reducing maternal mortality, where progress has stalled for the past decade. Today, prenatal care, skilled birth attendants and adequately equipped clinics can prevent many maternal deaths; tragically, these essential services still remain inaccessible for many women experiencing poverty. Far more resources are devoted instead to preventing pregnancy and applying Malthusian theories aimed at reducing global population. It would be a misleading assertion to claim that the advancement of women is being promoted or advanced when the pressing issues of poverty and abuse are not addressed, and when the particular issue of women who are pressured to undergo an abortion, often feeling that they have no other choice, is neglected.

Furthermore, it is alarming to note that surrogacy, which is another form of exploitation of women, has become more prevalent in recent years, buoyed by technology and wealth. Surrogacy is an unacceptable commercialization of women’s unique capacity for motherhood. It represents “a grave violation of the dignity of the woman and the child, based on the exploitation of situations of the mother’s material needs.”[3] While a number of States already prohibit this practice, Pope Francis has repeatedly called for it to be banned on a universal level.

Mr. Chair,

Education is key to enabling women and girls to develop their talents and realize their potential in society. Although there has been significant improvement in women’s and girls’ access to education, inequalities continue to persist due to a variety of reasons, including poverty and lack of opportunity, as well as negative stereotypes and direct discrimination. Education must be made available to women and girls on an equal basis with men and boys, thus promoting respect for the human dignity of each person.

As Pope Francis has noted, “We live in a time which is frequently scarred by violence, war and ideologies that stifle the noblest feelings of the human heart. Precisely in this context, the contribution of women is more necessary than ever.”[4] Responses to conflict, poverty, and natural disasters must both involve women at all levels and address the specific impacts on them. Changing both attitudes and practices to support women and men in their roles within the family and society are essential.

The Holy See continues to support and actively participate in efforts to affirm the equal dignity of each woman and girl and to ensure that they have the opportunity to develop their gifts so as to fulfill their potential in all spheres of life.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.

[1] Pope Francis, Message for the National Campaign Against Violence Against Women, 7 October 2023.

[2] United Nations Office of Drugs & Crime, Global Report on Trafficking in Persons 2022, pp. 25, 33 (2023).

[3] Pope Francis, Address to the Diplomatic Corps Accredited to the Holy See, 8 January 2024.

[4] Pope Francis, Address to Participants in the International Conference “Women in the Church: Builders of Humanity”, 7 March 2024.