Speech
UN Commission on the Status of Women 26 February 2007
Nyamko Sabuni, Minister for Integration and Gender Equality

Statement by Ms Nyamko Sabuni, Minister for Gender Equality, Head of Delegation of Sweden at the UN Commission on the Status of

Madame Chair,
Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,

I am speaking on behalf of the Swedish Government.

Sweden aligns itself with the statement made by Germany on behalf of the European Union.

I am honoured to be speaking here at the 51st session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women and would like to commend the Commission on its important work.

Respect for democracy, human rights, and fundamental freedoms are essential values that that must be realized and defended across the world. Gender equality is integral to democracy and central to sustainable development. To realize these values, girls and women must be empowered.

Sweden is pleased to see that strengthening gender mainstreaming, promoting gender equality and empowering girls and women are still priorities in the UN's reform work.

The basic principle is simple: all people, regardless of sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, disability or cultural and religious traditions, are of equal value - and must be able to enjoy human rights. All people must have equal opportunities in all areas of society.

One of the most important human rights principles is that of non-discrimination. This is guaranteed by the UN Declaration on Human Rights as well as through other human rights instruments, such as the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Each girl and boy has equal rights and every single one of them deserves respect. It is the responsibility of all states to protect children from violence and abuse.

Sweden has fought for many years to achieve gender equality and has certainly made progress.

Sweden constantly strives to ensure girls and women's sexual and reproductive health and rights. Combating violence and discrimination has long been a priority for the Swedish government. Corporal punishment has been prohibited since 1979, and the ban has gained wide support throughout the Swedish society. Recent efforts include projects that aim to boost girls' self-confidence, work done to reduce gender-stereotyping and a national action plan against female genital mutilation.

Girls and boys, women and men, all have the same right to education. In fact, women in Sweden are gainfully employed to almost the same extent as men. We have about the same numbers of women as men in parliament, government and other areas of public and political life. And more women than men hold university degrees.

Madame chair,

Of course, I look at this overall picture with pride. However, when I look more closely at the situation in my country, cracks begin to emerge.

Women still earn less than their male colleagues.

Although women and men in general are gainfully employed to the same extent, this does not apply to all women and men in Swedish society.

If we look more closely at the present situation for girls and women in Sweden, it becomes clear that not everyone has the same opportunities. Your chances of participating fully in all aspects of society are affected by your background - what country you or your parents come from; how much money your parents earn; what area you live in; what schools you went to and so on.

Despite considerable progress, we still have a long way to go before we achieve gender equality. Many more measures need to be taken in order to ensure equal rights and equal opportunities for all girls and women, and boys and men, in Sweden.

Madame chair,

In light of today's priority theme, I would like to take the opportunity to focus on one of my main priorities as Minister for Gender Equality. That is, the issue of discrimination and patriarchal violence against girls and women. I especially want to highlight violence in the name of honour and other customs and practices that discriminate against and harm girls and women especially, but also boys and young men.

Having control over your own mind, body and sexuality are clear markers of integrity and independence. Threats, abuse and violence are severe forms of oppression and where they exist, girls and women can not equal human rights.

It pains me to say, that I represent a country in which some men do beat and abuse women. Despite all the laws and programmes that Sweden has put in place.

I represent a country where some young women and men are denied the right to decide who they will marry, when they will marry or whether they will marry at all.

And I represent a country where some girls, despite all the laws and information programmes, risk genital mutilation, physical and psychological abuse, and even death, at the hands of the very people who are charged with their care and safety - their parents and other family members.

When we discuss gender equality in Sweden and elsewhere around the world, and in particular the protection of the girl child against discrimination and violence, we cannot keep quiet about these damaging and demeaning acts.

I am talking about girls and women who live in a country that has enjoyed universal suffrage for more than 85 years. That has signed, ratified, and fully committed itself to the international treaties on human rights. A country whose constitution guarantees freedom from persecution and freedom of religion. Yet some girls and women feel unsafe and let down. So I ask myself what further steps should we take to support them.

Madame chair,

It is time to agree and implement concrete actions that determine clearly how states and societies can guarantee all women and girls their fundamental freedoms and rights. Even if this may mean going against traditional customs and practices.

The Secretary General's study on all forms of violence against women and the study on violence against children include recommendations for intensified action on all levels.

All states have a responsibility to abolish existing laws, regulations, customs and practices that discriminate against girls and women. We must put into place laws, policies and institutional mechanisms that make it easier to promote gender equality, with a much needed emphasis on actively improving the life-situation for girls. A precondition is that both women and men take an active part in this important work.

The women's movement plays an important part in this work. Their efforts should be commended. They deserve our support and recognition. We also need to involve relevant actors, including religious leaders, NGOs, moulders of public opinion, and of course, girls and boys themselves.

I would like to state that while it is essential to ensure that girls are aware of their rights, it is also important to ensure that the rest of society shares this knowledge. These girls and young women have the right to equal power to shape society and their own lives. They have the right to integrity and respect.

The theme of this year's session - the elimination of all forms of discrimination and violence against the girl child - is a question of high priority for the Swedish government. I hope to be able to share with you the results of our efforts over the years, and warmly welcome the opportunity to learn from your experiences.

Thank you!