President of the PAM Women Forum
Dubai, 8 March 2025
Honorable Colleagues,
Distinguished Partners,
Dear Friends,
It is an honor and pleasure to address this message to your attention on the recurrence of International Women’s Day, in my capacity as the newly elected President of the PAM Women Parliamentary Forum.
2025 marks the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a landmark commitment to advancing gender equality, to which the PAM Women Parliamentary Forum is actively engaged. We should be celebrating progress. And yet, in many parts of our world, the rights of women and girls are in alarming decline.
Women and girls have broken barriers, challenged stereotypes, and asserted their rightful position. However, we must face the reality of the challenges ahead. In recent times, women’s empowerment and human rights face unprecedented resistance, which has come as a surprise to many.
In several instances, women continue to be excluded from public life, denied access to education and employment, and deprived of basic freedoms.
It is our duty to continue raising our voices to build a global society where every individual can live without fear of violence or discrimination. Recalling the meaning of International Women’s Day, we should ask ourselves: Are we moving forward?
This is a defining moment. We have a critical opportunity to reaffirm and renew our commitments, and our mobilization must be stronger than ever.
The theme selected by the UN for this year’s International Women’s Day, “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment,” reminds us of our shared responsibility.
Around the world, conflicts and crises have further exacerbated the vulnerability of women and girls, who continue to bear the burden of violence, displacement, and poverty.
In conflict zones, the risks of sexual violence, forced displacement, trafficking, and lack of access to healthcare have reached alarming levels. The PAM Women Parliamentary Forum remains deeply engaged in addressing the impacts of conflicts on women and children’s lives, advocating for their protection and well-being.
In areas where safety remains a concern, women often face even greater challenges due to their unique health requirements, including access to maternal healthcare.
We need decisive actions to secure equal socio-economic opportunities for women and girls, particularly in vulnerable communities, along with stronger legislation to end all forms of violence against them. We must also work to eliminate barriers that prevent women and girls from thriving in fields such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Under my Presidency, the PAM Women Parliamentary Forum will continue to advance the rights of women and girls through dedicated activities and campaigns.
The Second Session of the PAM Women Parliamentary Forum will be hosted, next June, by the UAE Federal National Council, in Abu Dhabi, to continue promoting gender-responsive policies and inclusive governance and women empowerment, and I look forward to welcoming you on that important occasion
Happy Women’s Day to all!
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