His Excellency Prime Minister and Minster of Women Affairs of Tuvalu: We recognize that violence against women and girls causes and courts consequences of human rights violation. Our members are therefore committed to ending all forms of violence against women, and agree to the promotion and projection of the full enjoyment of women’s human rights, which encourages the advancement of gender equality, and the empowerment of women and girls in this pacific region. The pacific leaders have adopted the Pacific leaders gender equality declaration, which provides the highest political platform to support equality and the elimination of violence against women.

Distinguished advisor to the president and head of the center of women and family of the Islamic Republic of Iran: We believe that the almighty God has created both man and women equally complementary to each other, whereby giving them both a specific role to play. Women are the manifestation of the beauty of God, which they promote through motherhood within the family environment. If she were deprived of her basic right of motherhood and wifehood, this in fact would lead to a society laden with violence and irreparable damage. Thus paying attention to this pivotal issue can be a breakthrough in securing women in modern age to save human society and uphold peace and security.

Distinguished Presidential advisor on the peace process of the Philippines: Violence against women and girls (VAWG) is a serious human rights violation that impacts women, families and communities. Its many forms of serious health, economic and social consequences are aggravated by intersecting factors such as race, ethnicity, religion, age, class, disability and HIV status. The Philippines is committed to criminalizing VAWG and its various forms, such as sexual harassment, bride selling, child abuse, human trafficking, illegal recruitment etc. While we continue to experience cases of violence against women and girls, the Philippines has reached a dramatic turning point in bringing an end to the violence of internal armed conflict which has a tremendous impact on VAWG.

By: Bethelehem Baissa