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CSW66 - Minister Dijkgraaf highlights participation of women and girls

 

Today, at the UN, the Kingdom of the Netherlands - which includes the country of the Netherlands in Europe as well as three Caribbean island countries Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten - gave its country speech. The three-minutes were divided between the prime minister of Aruba and the minister of Education, Culture and Science ("OCW" in Dutch) in the Netherlands.



They placed a focus on full, meaningful and effective participation of women and girls and closed off with a statement of solidarity toward women and girls living in conflict, including in Ukraine.

At first Evelyn Wever-Croes, prime minister of Aruba, took the floor (albeit via video). She had a strong presentation with a focus on the climate crisis amplifying inequalities whereby some groups and some regions are impacted harder than others. And she highlighted the lack of representation of women and girls in decision making, also at the United Nations.

"Only 33% of the decision-making positions within the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change are held by women. This is unacceptable. We cannot expect to solve a climate crisis while leaving half the population behind."

She highlighted the importance of #LeavingNoOneBehind.

Below the full speech presented by Minister Robbert Dijkgraaf.

***

"Your Excellencies,

dear delegates and colleagues,

I speak to you today not only as a minister, but also as a scientist. The successes we have achieved in battling the pandemic have reaffirmed my trust in the power of science and knowledge. This power is indispensable in addressing one of the greatest challenges of our time: the climate crisis. Knowledge, after all, is the only resource that grows as you use it. Therefore, we simply cannot afford to squander it. Sadly, that is exactly what is happening.

Because when it comes to combatting climate change, the voices, experience and knowledge of women and girls all too often go unheard.

They are still underrepresented in decision-making at all levels. They are still underrepresented in the technical subjects and professions that are crucial to making the energy transition a reality. And, tragically, they are still confronted with sexual and gender-based violence when they speak out on issues such as the climate crisis.

This is something we simply cannot tolerate.

We desperately need the contribution of women and girls, in all their diversity, if we are to ensure a liveable future. Our Kingdom therefore is determined in fighting for the full, equal, meaningful and effective participation and leadership of women and girls, in all areas.

We are determined to support them in their role as agents of change. And we are determined to ensure that the voice of young people, calling for climate action and systemic change, is heard around the world. These are the goals we must achieve if the climate emergency is truly to remain “a race we can win.”

Distinguished colleagues,

Let us not forget: we are meeting in extraordinary times.

Let me therefore express our Kingdom’s full solidarity with all women and girls living in conflict, including the women and girls in Ukraine. We condemn in the strongest possible terms Russia's unprovoked and unjustified military aggression against Ukraine, which grossly violates international law and the UN Charter. And we demand that Russia immediately cease its use of force against Ukraine, and refrain from any further unlawful threat or use of force against any Member State.

Thank you."

***

The full presentation can also be viewed on UN Web TV.

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