CANZ Statement

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of Canada, New Zealand, and my own country, Australia. We thank the Panellists for their presentations.

Gender-based barriers to freedom of opinion and expression are embedded in patriarchal systems and structures that perpetuate discriminatory policies, practices and socio-cultural norms. We are committed to dismantling these systems and structures. Every person – regardless of their gender – has human rights and should be able to fully and safely communicate their beliefs, values, ideas, opinions and experiences.

Restrictions to freedom of opinion and expression can have widespread consequences, affecting the realisation of women's and girls' other human rights, their access to public dialogue and their ability to participate and influence decision making. When women's and girls' freedoms of opinion and expression are hindered, we are all deprived of their invaluable contributions.

Overcoming gender-based barriers to freedom of opinion and expression requires a targeted and preventative approach. We must combat the challenges that confront women and girls, in all their diversity and intersecting identities, online and offline, including censorship and control. We must also recognise and address the violence and discrimination experienced by women journalists, human rights defenders and activists. And we must ensure that women and girls have uninhibited, safe access to a range of information, media and quality education.

We welcome the panellists' views on how we can effectively address emerging forms of gendered disinformation and hate speech which can silence women and girls.