Toespraak staatssecretaris Paul bij de Commission on the Status of Women in New York
Staatssecretaris Mariëlle Paul sprak op dinsdag 11 maart 2025 bij de Commission on the Status of Women in New York. Deze commissie is van de Verenigde Naties, en heeft als doel om gendergelijkheid en de rechten van vrouwen en meisjes wereldwijd te bevorderen. Deze toespraak is alleen beschikbaar in het Engels.
Esteemed Chair, distinguished delegates, dear colleagues,
It is a great honour for me to address you on behalf of all four countries that make up the Kingdom of the Netherlands: the Caribbean islands of Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten and the Netherlands in Europe.
It is my first time at CSW, and I couldn’t have picked a more festive occasion. Because today we will be celebrating the thirty year anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Thirty years in which great strides have been made for women's rights and gender equality.
We’ve come a long way.
Yet, sizeable challenges remain.
According to the Global Gender Gap Report 2024, it will take another 134 years to reach full gender parity.
134 years.
Meaning that a child born today will never experience true gender equality.
This is unacceptable. We must do better!
I say this not only as the Dutch minister for Equal Opportunities, but also as the Dutch minister for Primary and Secondary Education.
Schools are micro-representations of society. At school, students learn to treat each other respectfully and form their own opinions. It is the place where, above all, students should feel safe, free from violence, bias or gendered expectations. Because only then can they obtain the knowledge, skills and confidence to navigate the world, regardless of their gender. And only then can they truly explore their talents and fulfil their potential.
Sadly, this is still not the reality for many women and girls worldwide. Not at school, and not in society at large.
They frequently lack opportunities and are often intimidated, threatened or the victim of sexual and gender-based violence.
We cannot tolerate this. This has to change.
To improve the lives of women and girls. And to improve society as a whole.
Especially now.
Because the world has changed rapidly during the last thirty years.
When the Platform of Action was adopted, we lived in a time of hope. Now, three decades later, we find ourselves living in a time of great turmoil. We are not only faced with armed conflict, humanitarian crises and economic uncertainty, but also with other global challenges such as climate change.
We need everyone to take on these challenges, and to work towards a sustainable society where no one is left behind. This means we cannot succeed without utilizing the talents, skills and knowledge of all women and girls. Who knows, perhaps in the near future, a woman will be leading the United Nations.
It is crucial that we address the root causes of gender inequality such as restrictive norms, toxic beliefs and false stereotypes. We are actively and resolutely working towards this in the Kingdom. To achieve this, we need to involve everyone, including men and boys.
Distinguished colleagues,
This is not only a moment to reflect on the past, but also a time to look towards the future. To recognize the urgent work ahead of us, and tackle it together.
So, let’s get to work, and ensure it doesn’t take 134 years for gender parity to become a reality.
Thank you.