Today, on International Women’s Day, we celebrate the achievements and leadership of
women around the world. We recognise the powerful contribution of women in the fight
against the Coronavirus, as medics and caregivers, scientists and teachers, in business, and as political leaders.

We are especially mindful that women and girls have been disproportionately affected by
the negative economic effects of COVID-19. During the pandemic, women have been more likely to lose their jobs than men, and the burden of unpaid childcare and virtual school has fallen disproportionally on women.

We are concerned about reports from around the world of increasing gender-based
violence during the pandemic, which underlines the need for greater effort to prevent and eliminate all forms of sexual and gender-based violence. Lockdowns and other COVID-19 restrictions have exposed women and girls to increased risks of gender-based violence, often at the hands of their partners or other family members, and cut them off from much-needed support.

 

We support efforts to promote the equitable participation of women in the economy by
decreasing the gender pay gap and encouraging equal pay for work of equal value,combatting gender-based discrimination and harassment in and around the work place, and promoting a healthy work-life balance, including the provision of parental and child care.

We also recognise that women have the right to have full control over, and to decide freely,
without coercion and violence, matters concerning their body and health. We emphasise respect for the rights of women during childbirth and the importance of universal access for
women to health information, education and health care.

We are committed to promoting and protecting the human rights of all people. We want to
see gender equality and the full enjoyment of human rights for all women and girls in line
with our international obligations. All people deserve to live in safety and dignity, free from
violence and fear. We recommit ourselves to achieve this goal.

 

Signatories:
Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic
Embassy of Albania
Embassy of Argentina
Embassy of Australia
Embassy of Austria
Embassy of Belgium

Embassy of Bulgaria
Office of the Embassy of Canada
Embassy of Colombia
Embassy Cyprus
Embassy of the Czech Republic
Embassy of Denmark
Embassy of Egypt
Embassy of Estonia
Representation of the European Commission
Embassy of Finland
Embassy of France
Embassy of Georgia
Embassy of Germany
Embassy of Greece
Embassy of Iceland
Embassy of Ireland
Embassy of Israel
Embassy of Italy
Embassy of Kazakhstan
Embassy of Kuwait
Embassy of Latvia
Embassy of Luxembourg
Embassy of Malta
Embassy of Mexico
Embassy of the Netherlands
Embassy of New Zealand
Embassy of North Macedonia
Embassy of Norway
Embassy of Portugal
Embassy of Romania
Embassy of Serbia
Embassy of Slovenia
Embassy of Spain
Embassy of Sweden
Embassy of Switzerland
Embassy of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Embassy of the United States of America
Embassy of Uruguay