ROME/NEW YORK, MARCH 17th – “Women empowerment helps victims of violence strengthening their economic independence, which in turns can free them from fear. The theme of empowerment will be a cross-cutting priority of this year’s Italian G20 Presidency,” the Italian Minister for Equal Opportunities and Family, Elena Bonetti, said during a round table discussion organized within the framework of the 65th session of the Commission on the Status of Women.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, hosted the event -of which Italy was cosponsor- aimed at discussing the issue of gender violence as an obstacle to women’s participation in public life.
Minister Christodoulides introduced the event. Representatives of the United Nations (Kalliopi Mingeirou), the European Commission (Irena Moozova), Spain (Clara Cabrera Brasero), Jordan (Salma Nims) and Greece (Maria Syringela) took part in the discussion, which focused on sharing best practices and experiences in regards to policies capable of effectively countering violence against women.
“Today more than ever, it is urgent to act with determination for the promotion of the empowerment of women and girls”, said Bonetti: “This is needed not only to develop their talents while culture, society, the economy and the healthcare sector recover and build-up resilience, but also to prevent and combat all forms of violence against them,” said Bonetti. In her speech, the Italian Minister drew attention to the work being done in Italy towards the adoption of the new National Strategic Plan on Male Violence Against Women. This plan will follow a dialogue-based approach, between institutions, victims, associations and social partners.
Bonetti has been serving as Minister for Family and Equal Opportunities since 5 September 2019. The Commission on the Status of Women is the principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women. A functional commission of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), it was established by ECOSOC resolution 11(II) of 21 June 1946. (@OnuItalia)
