Annual discussion on the integration of a gender perspective throughout the work of the Human Rights Council and that of its mechanism. 42nd session of the UN Human Rights Council. Delivered by Sweden on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic countries.
Mr/Madame Chair,
I have the honor to make this statement on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic countries: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and my own country Sweden.
Gender equality is undoubtedly an issue of human rights. As such, it should be at the core of all decision-making and resource allocation. Here in the Human Rights Council and elsewhere, all efforts must be made to ensure that a gender perspective is brought into policy-making on a broad front. The Nordic-Baltic countries therefore warmly welcome today’s important discussion.
Gender mainstreaming is one of the most important tools for implementing a policy that aims at ensuring equal rights, representation and resources for women and men, girls and boys. To help drive the agenda of this Council forward in that regard, more work is needed to mainstream gender into resolutions and mandates, including for fact-finding missions and commissions of inquiry. All reports must include an analysis of the different needs of women and men, as well as girls and boys, so that we can direct our collective action and the response of the UN human rights system in order to meet these needs and fulfill women and girls rights.
More needs to be done to ensure equal representation in human rights bodies. Important initiatives such as the Geneva Gender Champions bring forward female and male decision-makers alike in order to break down unequal power structures and promote gender parity.
Mr/Madame Chair,
- What are the key factors for successful integration of a gender perspective in the mandates and work of investigative mechanisms of this Council, such as fact-finding missions and commissions of inquiry, as well as in reporting to the HRC?
I thank you.
