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Australia welcomes resolution L.46 on promoting, protecting and respecting women’s and girls’ full enjoyment of human rights in humanitarian situations. We thank the core group for the transparent and consultative approach to negotiations, and its efforts to accommodate the concerns of all delegations.
This resolution is an important contribution to the Council’s work. Humanitarian situations often see an uptick in human rights violations and abuses, and women and girls are disproportionately affected, particularly with regard to increased rates of sexual and gender-based violence. These violations and abuses of women’s and girls’ human rights are a symptom of entrenched gender inequality, and can be influenced and exacerbated by various factors, including a lack of access to health services, including lifesaving sexual and reproductive health services, and multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination.
Ensuring accountability for women’s and girls’ human rights is essential in responding to and preventing further violations and abuses. Unfortunately, factors which can hinder accountability, such as a breakdown in infrastructure, lack of access to justice and remedies, and an environment of inequality, discrimination and impunity, are compounded in humanitarian situations. In this regard, a comprehensive approach to the promotion and protection of women’s and girls’ rights is crucial; such an approach should incorporate a multi-stakeholder approach and the full spectrum of gender-responsive service provision, and policy design and implementation.
Women’s and girls’ full, equal and meaningful participation and leadership in humanitarian situations is also central to ensuring a comprehensive approach to the promotion and protection of their rights. Only with their participation can their voices be heard, their needs identified and their rights fulfilled.
Australia is pleased to co-sponsor this resolution and looks forward to its adoption by consensus.
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