I would like to thank the UNFPA Deputy Executive Director, my friend Diene Keita, for the invitation addressed to Italy to co-sponsor and intervene today alongside our partner countries The Gambia, Guinea and Sierra Leone in this important discussion.
The initiatives we are presenting today, and that Italy is proud to support, provide an opportunity to showcase concrete actions aimed at eliminating barriers to gender equality and actively investing in adolescent girls’ potential and rights.
As the discussions of the Commission on the Status of Women unfold, we remain committed to link our normative work to the implementation on the ground, and to demonstrate the results that real partnerships can produce at the country level.
The African continent is a priority of Italian foreign policy and Italian development cooperation. We believe in the potential of a relation based on true partnership to tackle our common challenges and uphold our shared objective to accelerate the implementation of the SDGs.
Indeed, important strides have been made in the region promoting gender equality and advancing women’s rights, but challenges remain. Gender-based violence, harmful practices, in a young demographic environment characterized by high fertility rates, and alarming maternal mortality, continue to affect the lives of many women and girls. Barriers to equality limit their opportunities and their full participation in society.
As we address these challenges, we jointly recall that gender equality and the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women in all spheres of society and decision-making is also a critical driver of peace and security, as well as sustainable development.
For these reasons, Italy is proud to collaborate with The Gambia, Guinea and Sierra Leone through initiatives such as the “Youth Health Enhancement to Harness the Demographic Dividend” and the “Project on Accelerating the Prevention and Elimination of Gender-Based Violence and the Promotion of Reproductive Health” through the action of the Dakar Office of the Italian Agency of Development Cooperation (AICS).
With a total commitment of over €5 million euros, these projects aim to empower youth, eliminate harmful practices, and ensure access to vital healthcare and education, fostering an environment where both women and men can realize their full potential.
We recognize that the challenges of the West and Central African region are complex. However, through partnership and sustained commitment, we can build stronger, healthier communities, where women and girls are free from violence and able to contribute fully to the social, economic, and political life of their countries.
Italy remains determined in its support for gender equality, and we are honored to work alongside our African partners to build a future of hope, opportunity, and empowerment for all.
