This week, Israel co-sponsored
a successful event with UN habitat and UN Women, as part of the
59th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women.
Noted Israeli actress and director Hana Azoulay Hasfari screened parts of her
film "Orange People" and addressed the widespread problem of underage marriages.
The event also discussed Israel’s contributions to advancing women’s
leadership in developing countries. Hava Karrie, Israel's Ministry of Foreign
Affairs representative, highlighted some of Israel’s key achievements. Jean
Judes, Executive Director of Beit Issie Shapiro, spoke about the challenges of
women with disabilities and the educational tools
available to assist them.
UN Habitat's representative, Dr. Aisa Kirabo Kacyira, highlighted the
importance of education in advancing sustainable development for women.
UN Women's Ms. Christine Musisi, moderated the event.
Ambassador David Roet, Israel's Deputy Permanent Representative to
the UN, said that we can only have a healthy society if we have equal rights for women.
Ms. Yardena Meller-Horowitz, Secretary
General of the Knesset explained about the actions the Knesset took to combat underage marriage."There are millions of women all around the world that
carry with them a collective memory of being treated like an object that was
passed on to them from their great grandparent. But, Don't get me wrong – it
did not happen only in Morocco. The same is true for women from Europe and
America, much like for women from Asia and Africa, from all states and
cultures. For some it goes a generation back, for others ten generations back.
We all carry with us the collective memory of our ancient mothers of being an
object.
But the most terrible thing is that even today,
millions of girls all around the world at the age of eight, nine and 13 are
being sold as an object to men who can do with them anything that comes to
their minds. These girls are getting pregnant, and their body cannot hold the
weight of the baby. Their body is deformed, their pelvis is broken and they
become crippled and terrified for the
rest of their lives. They, then sink into heavy depression or just simply die.
And the world is being filled with talented but passive and sad women.
I stand here before you today and ask you, or better
say demand that you take an action. You have the power to re-define the
horrible act that is now being white washed as "child marriage".
The act of marriage is an act of mutual consent
between two adults. When a 10 years old minor, who doesn't even know what it
means to have sexual intercourse, is being sold in exchange for a cow or a
jeep, this is not marriage!
When a 12 years old girl who does not understand why
she has to lay under an old men who hurts her, instead of playing catch with
her friends, this is not marriage!
Ladies and Gentlemen! When all of
this is taking place – this is not child-marriage – it is child rape!"
Ms. Hava Karrie, Acting Director of the Golda
Meir Mount Carmel International Training Center discussed Israel’s contributions to advancing women’s leadership in developing countries and noted that they will
be hosting the next biennial international women's leadership conference.
Dr. Aisa Kirabo Kacyira, Deputy Executive
Director and Assistant Secretary-General for UN Habitat emphasized the yearning for education by women from developing countries
Ms. Jean Judes, Executive Director
of Beit Issie Shapiro spoke about the challenges of women with disabilities and the educational tools available to assist them:
"If women are already discriminated against, women with disabilities are much more vulnerable. Fight side by side for all women.'Nothing about us with out us.'"
Ms. Christine Musisi,
UN Women Eastern & Southern Africa Regional Director concluded the event by defining what education needs to be so it can empower women:
"Education must be holistic; multidimensional; inclusive & relevant"