Monaco condemns violence against women at 47th Session of the Human Rights Council

47eme Session du Conseil des Droits de l'Homme - Genève

The Principality spoke on the issue of violence against women on Wednesday 23 June and Monday 5 July 2021, ahead of the 47^th Session of the Human Rights Council to be held in Geneva on 13 July.

The Monegasque delegation shared its views at a high-level panel discussion on the multisectoral prevention of and response to female genital mutilation, and during the annual full-day discussion on the human rights of women.

The panel discussion was opened by Michelle Bachelet, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, who emphasised that female genital mutilation is a serious human rights violation that affects women and girls. Elimination of the practice is also Target 3 under UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5. The Principality once again condemned this intolerable practice, which has unfortunately seen a resurgence during the COVID-19 pandemic, and reiterated that the country had long been involved in initiatives aimed at eliminating it.

The annual full-day discussion on the human rights of women focused on violence against women and girls with disabilities. During the discussion, the Monegasque delegation expressed its concern regarding the particular vulnerability of women and girls with disabilities, who are on average ten times more likely to experience violence. According to the World Health Organization, 35% of women worldwide experience violence. The delegation also reported on the situation in Monaco, where such violence is fortunately kept in check, thanks to a comprehensive legal framework that is especially protective of women and people living with disabilities.

The Human Rights Council is the main United Nations intergovernmental forum on global human rights issues. It is made up of 47 member states elected by the United Nations General Assembly, and meets in ordinary session three times a year in Geneva. The Principality is involved in the Council as an observer state.