Exhibition 'Age of Hope'

Excellencies
Ladies and Gentlemen :


It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the Palais des Nations for the opening of this very special exhibition entitled, “Age of Hope” to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Women’s March against the Pass Laws in South Africa. This event provides us with an opportunity to pay tribute to the courage, dedication and contribution of women in shaping history and in achieving democracy in South Africa. It also helps us to reflect on the experience of South Africa in overcoming sexism, intolerance and injustice. To me, today’s exhibition is about the empowerment of women, about their voices being heard and about their invaluable contribution to the achievement of security, development and human rights globally.

Women continue to suffer from the burden of conflicts, poverty, unequal access to resources and opportunities, violence and lack of basic services. They are increasingly susceptible to HIV/AIDS and other major diseases. Limitations on women’s legal rights and participation in active political life are still widespread globally. Their low representation in politics and business as well as the power imbalances hamper the progress of not just women but of society at large. Legal restrictions on women’s land and property ownership continue to increase their vulnerability in situations of crisis. Violence impedes women’s ability to live full and productive lives. It also restricts their contributions to family, society and economic development. Yet, the contributions that women make to the economic, social and political lives of their nations, communities, families and the next generation make them key actors in effective development.

The Beijing Declaration was an important milestone in advancing women’s rights. However, eleven years on, much remains to be done. The goals set forth in the Declaration as well as in the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) must be turned into specific policy reforms and operational programmes that make a difference for women. Most importantly, this must be achieved with the active participation of women.

In the words of the Secretary-General, “The international community is finally beginning to understand a fundamental principle: women are every bit as affected as any man by the challenges facing humanity in the 21st century – in economic and social development, as well as in peace and security. Often, they are more affected. It is, therefore, right and indeed necessary that women should be engaged in the decision-making processes in all areas, with equal strength and in equal numbers.” When we say that peace and security, development and human rights cannot be achieved independently of one another, we are not applying this to only one half of the world’s population. Our global objectives cannot be achieved when the choices of half of humanity are restricted. The 2005 World Summit Outcome document echoed this when it recognized that “progress for women is progress for all.”

Ladies and Gentlemen :

South Africa’s fully inclusive Constitution has made it a symbol of tolerance, peaceful coexistence and mutual respect among people of different races, languages and traditions. Women played an important role in the liberation struggle. The Women’s Charter adopted by the Federation of South African Women demanded the full range of rights for all South Africans and many of these demands were realized in South Africa’s Constitution.

The courageous efforts of the thousands of women who marched on that day in 1956 motivate us to this day to improve the lives of women around the world so that they may live in dignity and freedom. In the words of Nelson Mandela, “To be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others”. Indeed, the struggle of those women fifty years ago was not only for their own freedom but for that of all women around the world. They give hope and inspire courage in others, both men and women, whose rights are not respected.

Before I leave you to visit and reflect on the beautiful and creative works of this evening’s exhibition, I would like to extend my appreciation to the Permanent Mission of South Africa to the United Nations Office at Geneva and the South African Embassy in Switzerland. This important event not only provides an insight into the work of these remarkable artists but is also a symbol of South Africa’s unwavering dedication to and strong support for the purposes and principles of the United Nations. I wish you an enjoyable evening.

Thank you very much.