NEW YORK: Palestinian suffering was a major topic on Monday at the UN General Assembly’s high-level meeting on women’s empowerment.
The event marked 30 years since the Beijing Declaration was adopted by the UN, which describes it as “the most progressive blueprint ever for advancing women’s rights.”
Arab representatives and others emphasized the suffering of Palestinian women and girls in Gaza at Monday’s meeting.
“There, we’ve seen female journalists reporting their own family’s displacement, cesareans performed by flashlight without anesthesia, and new mothers, too malnourished to nurse and denied access to infant formula, watching as their babies fall to famine,” said Jordan’s Queen Rania.
“Israel’s war on Gaza has shortened women’s life expectancy by 30 years. Thirty years after the Beijing Declaration, what have global promises done for them?
Queen Rania Al Abdullah drew urgent attention to the devastating impact of war and conflict on women and girls. (Petra.gov.jo)
“There’s no denying the power of women who endure under fire, but that empowerment didn’t come from decisions made in halls like this one. It came in spite of them.”
She added: “Women’s rights can’t be filtered through the lens of political expediency. Our international system is failing generations of women by failing to stop those who commit violence with impunity.
“I urge the UN to act decisively against violators of international humanitarian law and to restore some balance to our world. No one can claim to stand for women and stand on the sidelines.”
Naima Ben Yahia, Morocco’s minister of solidarity, social integration and family, said: “On this occasion, we’d like to address the struggle of Palestinian women and girls who’ve lost all hope and who are going through difficult circumstances.
“This is why we have to promote international efforts to protect them and ensure their human rights to contribute to peace and stability in the world.”
Egypt’s representative, whose name was not announced by the moderator, said: “Palestinian women are suffering notably in Gaza … as a result of these unjustified attacks on civilians … People are starving, people have been attacked and property is being destroyed.”
Al-Taher Al-Baour, Libya’s acting foreign minister, said the world could not celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration “while Palestinian women and girls are suffering the most heinous acts of violence” by Israel.
Non-Arab nations also referenced the suffering of women and girls in Gaza, including Delcy Rodriguez, Venezuela’s executive vice president, who said: “Palestine is a wound on our conscience. We need to make humanity more humane.”
