Prof. Hiroko Hashimoto - Government of Japan

[Opening remarks]

 

International Women’s Day Event: Elevating the Conversation on Ending Sexual Violence in Conflict

 

(Economic and Social Chamber)

6 March 2014

6:15 pm

 

                                                                        

Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, UN colleagues, NGOs partners, Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Thank you for joining us today to celebrate International Women’s Day.  As co-host of this important event “Elevating the Conversation on Ending Sexual Violence in Conflict”, I would like to welcome you on the behalf of the Government of Japan.  This is a great pleasure to co-host this event with the Office of the Secretary-General Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, the Enough Project,  Raise Hope for Congo Campaign and the United Nations Academic Impact Department of Public Information.

 

I am delighted to see so many of you have gathered here today. To me it is evidence that more and more of you feel compelled to speak up on behalf of every woman that does not have a voice, that each one of you here is ready to stand and fight on behalf of those who do not have the means to fight. I am humbled by the support I see, right here in this room.

International Women’s Day has an important meaning all around the world. It is a day of celebration, dialogues and awareness. It is also  an occasion to acknowledge the economic, social and political achievements of women.

 

We have come far, and we have made much progress. Every morning when I walk into my high-school, I am heartened when I come across the independent and resilient spirit of young girls, their entrepreneurial drive, their ambition to achieve great things, and their firm confidence that nothing is impossible.

 

These young girls who I talk of do not know fear. They will not know what it means to be suppressed or marginalized because of one’s gender, they will not know what it means to be violently beaten into submission. They also do not know that many of you present here today, have sacrificed everything to stand up for women’s rights. I am telling about this reality to those girls.　

 

This year, the United Nations theme for the celebration of International Women’s Day is “Equality for women is progress for all”. No one can deny that women are the bonding force of society, and for any society to be prosperous and harmonious, its women must be respected and treated equally.

 

 The Security Council and the international community recognized this in year 2000 when the landmark resolution 1325 was adopted. In this regards, I am pleased to inform you that the Government of Japan has started to formulate 1325 national action plans in close collaboration with the civil society.

 

As I am speaking here now, a conflict somewhere, has claimed another innocent woman as its next victim. By the end of today, hundreds if not thousands of women will have been raped, killed, or subjected to horrible, vicious, and unforgettable crimes.

 

None of here can save these women tonight, but we have come together to ensure that this does not happen tomorrow again.

 

The world needs a change, women need a change. We are all here today to inspire this change and your presence sends a message to vulnerable people in every corner of the globe, we have not forgotten you and we will stand by you.

 

Thank you.