Thank you Chair. I deliver this statement on behalf of Canada, Iceland, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland and my own country Australia.

We take this opportunity to reaffirm our strong support for the resolution. This year, the penholders have tabled a resolution that sets the minimum standard that we as Member States should agree to in order to prevent and eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls. We particularly welcome the draft resolution’s focus on gender stereotypes and negative social norms, attitudes and behaviours. Gender inequalities, including stereotypes and negative social norms, are a root cause of sexual and gender-based violence. It is critical to recognise this to effectively respond.

Regrettably, multiple amendments have been tabled on this resolution, including on agreed language, targeting paragraphs that have been discussed at length in the negotiations. We reject these amendments which seek to remove or weaken references to sexual and gender-based violence, intimate partner violence, marital rape, and multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination, among other issues. These issues are core to our efforts to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls and should be retained in the text. It is unacceptable for women and girls to experience any form of violence under the pretence of intimacy and marriage.

We strongly support the reference to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health-care services in the draft resolution, to ensure the holistic needs of victims and survivors are addressed. The amendment to delete this paragraph is not constructive. Universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights is vital to save the lives of women and girls and address their needs. This is why will vote against the amendments and why will vote in support of this resolution.  

We remain steadfast in our call to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.