Open Working Group discusses promoting equality, including social equity, gender equality and women’s empowerment No 4

Joint statement of 48 countries to the Open Working Group

Argentina

HE Maria Cristina Perceval, Permanent Representative of Argentina to the United Nations delivered a statement on behalf of 48 countries on issues related to gender equality and sexual and reproductive health and rights.

The post-2015 development agenda must tackle the root causes of inequalities and achieving gender equality must be a priority. Gender inequality undermines progress while achieving equal rights improves the well-being of children and households.  The needs of older women and their contribution to sustain development should not be forgotten. We should be strategic and pragmatic – building on the MDGs. 

The following must be incorporated into the post-2015 development framework:

• Promotion respect and protect of all human rights as the basis for a sustainable development agenda 


• Achieving gender equality must be a priority, as well as mainstreaming,  including  ensuring rights to education, health, social protection, etc and fostering the shared rights and responsibilities of men and boys


• Access to quality education, including comprehensive sexuality education


• Access to universal health care focused on prevention


• Respect, protect and fulfill sexual and reproductive health and rights of all throughout the life cycle including access to quality integrated sexual and reproductive health information education and services


• Ending gender-based violence, including harmful practices such as early marriage and FGM and eliminating sexual harassment in workplace and schools.


• Creating decent employment and equal pay for equal work and providing affordable elderly care, child care, maternity and paternity leave


• Increasing women’s participation in decision-making at all levels and ensuring women’s and young people’s voice and participation in disaster and conflict-affected situations


• Policies to be implemented effectively supported by stronger effort on data collection.

Rights and empowerment of respect and fulfillment of sexual rights and health are fundamental priorities for the SDGs and the Post-2015 development agenda.

In response to her request that this statement be reflected in the Co-Chairs summary and in final report, the Co-Chair said that he had heard her request and would try to do his best to include all suggestions in all interventions including this powerful intervention.

For full statement click here.