4th plenary meeting of the Committee for the Promotion and Protection of Women’s Rights: report and prospects

©Direction de la Communication / Manuel Vitali

The Committee for the Promotion and Protection of Women’s Rights recently presented its fourth annual report during its plenary meeting, which was chaired by Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, and attended by representatives from Monegasque institutions, the Department of Justice, government departments and associations working to promote women’s rights.

In her introductory speech, Isabelle Berro-Amadeï noted that Monaco supported the resolutions and declarations against all gender-based violence issued by the United Nations and the Council of Europe, and expressed her deep concern about the rolling back of women’s and girls’ rights in various parts of the world. With this in mind, the Principality also continues to provide financial assistance to international programmes to protect women, including those operated by the Council of Europe, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM). It also continues its cooperation efforts, working in 11 partner countries to promote education for vulnerable girls, as well as women’s and young people’s entrepreneurship.

Several achievements were recorded in Monaco in 2022. The mobilisation of institutions continued, with progress made on legislation, the publication of new statistical reports and training for professionals who deal with violence against women. The effort put in by all of the Committee’s member associations translated into the implementation of initiatives to promote women’s rights. These contributed to the year’s highlights: the international days marked on 8 March and 25 November.

To sum up the year in figures: 

•             85 provisions and texts affected by the passing of the law amending and repealing obsolete or unequal provisions;

•             1 bill submitted to the National Council that aims to compensate victims of sexual offences, including children;

•             20.9%: the average hourly wage gap in favour of men noted by Monaco Statistics in the private sector;

•             2,000 white ribbons distributed on 25 November as part of the campaign to tackle violence against women;

•             2 ambassadors for women’s rights: Cédric Biscay, Hassan de Monaco

Women’s Rights Officer Céline Cottalorda gave a review of 2022, describing it as “a year packed with action, during which we continued to add our contribution to the shared cause of women’s rights.” She added: “however, there are still numerous areas where we need to do more work to enable women and girls to live in a world where they are no longer subject to violence or discrimination.”

2023: strengthening of work to tackle violence and improve equality

2023 will be all about strengthening our efforts and mobilising further to:

•             Strengthen actions to care for victims and deal with the perpetrators of violence;

•             Mobilise companies to take action on the wage gap, following publication of the Monegasque Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies research;

•             Continue work to raise awareness among young people.

After thanking all stakeholders and members of the Committee for their involvement, Isabelle Berro-Amadeï noted that the next Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Summit would be held in New York in September this year. Monaco will take part in the summit, and will continue to take action on SDG 5, which focuses on the empowerment of women and girls.

Yet another opportunity for the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation to emphasise that “without gender equality, any economic and resilient transition of our societies will be but a vain ambition.”

Further information is available on the website, from where you can also download the report:

https://dfm.mc/publications/