Every Woman Diplomacy Team at the Human Rights Council, Geneva – Amjad Chatila, Farida Bena, Diane Vissoh
By DIANE VISSOH
On June 25, during the 59th session of the UN Human Rights Council, nations gathered for an interactive dialogue with the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, Ms. Reem Alsalem. Every nation that took the floor during the dialogue acknowledged the gravity of violence against women and girls and expressed its determination to address it as a matter of priority. From countries in conflict to those in stable regions, the shared message was clear: the current level of violence is unacceptable, and a stronger international response is needed.
The session demonstrated global consensus on the urgency of the problem and marked a significant moment of international alignment on ending violence against women and girls in all its forms worldwide.
We were heartened to hear states speak with urgency on ending violence against women and girls, particularly at a time when the problem is intensifying. From online sexual exploitation and cyber-harassment to femicide and trafficking, the landscape of violence against women and girls is shifting rapidly, outpacing existing legal frameworks and protection mechanisms, highlighting the need for global solutions and accountability.
Coalition member Gazbiah Sans, a counterterrorism expert, recently reported on the role big tech should play in addressing misogyny and violent extremism online. Every Woman cofounder Zainab Ali Khan, in a recent op-ed in the Pakistan Observer, noted that supporting the creation of a new Optional Protocol to CEDAW to end violence against women and girls would show the country’s commitment to women and girls, as it would for any nation.
Throughout the week, the Every Woman diplomacy team held bilateral meetings with member states, UN partners, and civil society allies to reinforce support for the Optional Protocol and ensure that civil society and survivors’ voices remain at the center of the global response.
Our biggest takeaway from these sessions was that despite a challenging global climate on women’s rights, nations and other stakeholders are deeply interested in elevating global norms to solve the problem of violence against women and girls and working together for a safer world for every woman and girl, everywhere.
