COVID-19: Del Re, “Italy joins 58 members state in UN women’s rights appeal”

ROME, MAY 6 – The Deputy Minister Emanuela Del Re joined, on behalf of Italy, the joint statement, promoted at the United Nations by South Africa and Sweden and signed by 59 countries, for the protection of women’s sexual and reproductive rights and the promotion of the gender perspective in response to Coronavirus pandemic.

“Our country has always been at the forefront of the fight against discrimination and against gender-based violence, and for the full participation of women in all areas, values that are at the heart of Italy’s foreign policy and development cooperation. The impact of the pandemic is exacerbating the vulnerability of women and girls to domestic violence and abuse and risks limiting their ability to access health, education and legal protection services. This is why the defence and promotion of women’s rights must be placed at the heart of the efforts to counter the virus and initiate a sustainable recovery”, the Deputy Minister declared.

The signatory countries affirm the need for an emergency response to protect the women’s rights, especially refugees, migrants and displaced women, and the need for specific measures to be implemented to take into account the different impact of the pandemic on women and on their access to diagnosis and treatment. The signatory countries confirm their commitment to the implementation of the Political Declaration on Universal Health Coverage, with specific regard to the protection of reproductive and maternity rights, and express support for effective participation of women in decision-making processes concerning the response to the pandemic.

“Gender mainstreaming remains a priority for Italian Cooperation in adapting activities to the new needs related to COVID19 in the most fragile countries, where the impact of the pandemic risks having the most devastating effects”, Del Re concluded. (@OnuItalia)