Thank you, Madam Chairperson, for giving me the floor.
Latvia aligns itself with the statement delivered on behalf of the European Union.
Madam Chairperson,
Let me start by expressing our firm belief that gender equality and women’s empowerment must be at the core of every democratic, peaceful and sustainable society. As gender-based disparities remain a global challenge, we welcome the positive development of putting gender equality at its rightful place – at the center of the global agenda. The Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development gives us necessary framework and impetus to reduce inequalities and empower women and girls.
As we all are now focusing on the implementation of the Agenda 2030, we must also take into account the current global landscape. We are facing a variety of challenges at an unprecedented scale – such as migration crisis, prolonged conflicts, and terrorism. It is imperative that we take into account the gender perspective when we design and adapt our policies aimed at tackling these and other challenges.
First of all, we should recognize that often women and girls are subjected to specific threats and are especially vulnerable. They are facing higher risks of gender-based violence, human trafficking and a wide range of other human rights violations. Therefore well-considered gender responsive solutions and approaches are required.
Secondly, we should strive towards a universal recognition that peace and conflict resolution are not possible without full participation of women in all stages. In this context Latvia has been a strong supporter of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda.
Madam Chairperson,
Gender equality is an essential part of Latvia’s domestic and foreign policies. Women in Latvia are politically and economically active, highly educated and highly represented in entrepreneurship, science and justice system. The participation of civil society at all levels of policy making is guaranteed and encouraged. In terms of gender equality Latvia consistently ranks among the top 20 countries globally. We have the second highest proportion of women in senior business positions in the European Union.
However, much remains to be done. Currently our main focus areas domestically are women’s economic empowerment and elimination of violence against women.
Latvia continues to improve legal framework and to undertake new international commitments. I am glad to note that in May 2016 Latvia signed the Council of Europe’s Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence. From 2015, the State funded social rehabilitation services for adult victims and perpetrators of violence are available.
Expert training and public awareness-raising on domestic violence issues is taking place, including with the aim to encourage victims to report. We continue to strengthen our efforts to combat human trafficking and so called “sham marriages”.
In order to promote women’s economic empowerment, we are working on the tax-benefit policy to achieve that it better addresses the income inequality. Better balance between work and family life is also important, therefore flexible child-care arrangements for working parents are introduced. We have also been highlighting women’s engagement in the STEM fields and empowerment of women in the digital world.
Madam Chairperson,
Latvia will continue to be an advocate for gender equality at the international level, including as a member of the Human Rights Council. Gender equality is also one of priorities of Latvia’s development cooperation policy. For example, this year we provide assistance and knowledge to help improving access to education and economic empowerment of women and girls in Central Asia.
Let me conclude by emphasizing that if we all strive to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment, we can make the transformative vision of the Sustainable Development Goals into reality. Only combined efforts of national governments, the international community, civil society and the private sector will ensure progress.
Thank you.