Statement of the Republic of Latvia for the general discussion of the Third Committee on the agenda item “advancement of women”
9 October 2024
Madam/Mr. Chair,
First of all, let me congratulate you and the entire Bureau on your election. Latvia is ready to support your work and contribute to the efforts of the Committee.
Just a few generations ago, women’s rights globally were more restricted than we might care to admit. The very idea of a woman casting a vote was considered radical, even a threat to the established social order.
Today, we find ourselves in a different landscape, yet it still falls short of our aspirations. 85% of SDG5 target indicators has stalled and violence against women and girls continues to rise in too many parts of the world, underscoring the urgent need for action.
While the equal rights of men and women have been a guiding principle since our independence in 1918, we acknowledge that there is still progress to be made. Latvia is committed to supporting the advancement of women domestically and sharing our experiences and best practices with international partners.
Madam/Mr. Chair,
The Latvian government has implemented various policies aimed at addressing the gender pay gap, fostering female entrepreneurship, and promoting women in leadership roles.
Our approach to address income inequality and poverty includes:
- Economic and social empowerment,
- Work-life balance initiatives,
- Access to quality education.
One of our key priorities in the coming years is introducing a pay transparency mechanism to help eliminate pay discrimination and further narrow the gender pay gap.
In addition, Latvia has introduced policies to enhance men’s involvement in childcare, encouraging fathers to take parental leave and equally share family responsibilities.
Education remains a cornerstone of our progress. Women now constitute over 63% of university graduates, and their participation in the workforce is on the positive trend.
A leading initiative empowering women in the tech industry is Riga TechGirls, which provides coding workshops and mentorship programs for women and girls. This initiative is fostering a new generation of female innovators who are transforming Latvia’s digital landscape. Moreover, Riga TechGirls, as a part of Latvia’s development cooperation, has extended its reach globally, organizing bootcamps in Cameroon and South Africa, with plans for a new project in Egypt this year.
Latvia has also made significant progress in addressing gender-based violence. We have implemented more effective legislation, strengthened inter-institutional cooperation, and launched public awareness campaigns to combat domestic violence and reduce its prevalence.
We remain dedicated to advancing the Women, Peace, and Security agenda. As a candidate for the United Nations Security Council for the term 2026-2027, we emphasize the urgent need to tackle conflict-related sexual violence.
Madam/Mr. Chair,
Gender equality is a key priority in Latvia’s development cooperation efforts.
1. I would like to highlight the project "She rebuilds the world" implemented by the Latvian NGO esiLV that has enhanced the entrepreneurial and leadership skills of women in Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. This year, we are expanding the scope to include Rwanda and Ethiopia.
2. In Central Asia, we have worked with countries like Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan to enhance women’s economic participation through training and mentorship programs.
3. In Ukraine, through partnerships with local organizations, Latvia has established rehabilitation centers for survivors of sexual violence perpetrated by the Russian military.
To conclude, on the eve of the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Action Platform, Latvia stands firm in its commitment to gender equality, recognizing it as both: a national priority, and a global mission.
Thank you.