“I wish, in the name of the men and women of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to restate the Ministry’s complete and utter commitment to protecting and promoting the rights of women throughout the world”. Speaking was Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi, on the eve of International Women’s Day.
“Sadly, we have to acknowledge that today, in many parts of the world, women continue to be victims of violence and unacceptable violations of the fundamental human rights. Rights such as freedom of expression, a decent life, a job, health, education”, added Terzi. He underscored Italy’s long-standing commitment on these issues. “Since 1985 we have been parties to the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. We are key actors at the United Nations and in all international fora. Such as, for example, the Commission on the Status of Women, which met recently in New York. Italy is also in the front line in combating the practice of female genital mutilation, and strongly supports women’s role in peace and democratic transition processes”.
The protection and promotion of women’s rights is one of civilisation’s vital battles”, underscored Terzi. “We will continue in our committed endeavour, in the conviction that there can be no true progress by states, nor stability in international relations, without the full participation of women in the lives of their countries and the unconditional recognition of their rights”.
