The 68th annual Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68), the UN’s largest annual gathering on gender equality and women’s empowerment, is taking place from 11 – 22 March under the priority theme, “Accelerating the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by addressing poverty and strengthening institutions and financing with a gender perspective”.
On March 13, the Security Council held an open debate on “Promoting Conflict Prevention – Empowering All Actors Including Women and Youth” under the “Peacebuilding and sustaining peace” agenda item. The Hellenic Republic was represented by the Deputy Minister for Social Cohesion and Family, Ms Maria Kefala, who addressed the open debate.
The Deputy Minister highlighted the Greek initiatives and projects undertaken for the empowerment of women and girls in Greece and placed particular emphasis on the adoption of the first ever National Action Plan on the “Women, Peace and Security” Agenda.
As a signatory party to all major international human rights instruments, Greece attaches high priority to the realization of substantive gender equality. The equal representation of women in decision-making, including in peace processes, remains a decisive factor of progress in our collective efforts to achieve inclusive and sustainable peace and development.