Adoption of the Franco-Dutch resolution on violence against women and girls [fr]

New York, November 14, 2024

Thank you Mr. Chairman.

I have the honor, on behalf of the Netherlands and France, to present this biennial draft resolution on the intensification of efforts to prevent and eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.

This year, we decided to focus on the digital environment, as women and girls are evermore exposed to online violence.

This violence takes different forms: harassment, hate speech inciting to violence, abuse based on real or artificially generated images or videos, non-consensual sharing of personal information, and so on. The physical, psychological and social consequences of this violence are terrible.

In certain regions of the world, more than half of the women active online have experienced this violence at least once. 300 million children have been the object of exploitation or sexual abuse online over the last twelve months.

In continuation of the texts adopted by the General Assembly, the Commission on the Status of Women and in the Pact for the Future, this draft resolution participates in the efforts to eliminate this violence.

The text calls for a better protection of the rights of women and girls in the digital environment, and for fighting impunity. It calls on the stakeholders in the digital world, particularly digital platforms, to better moderate violent content or content inciting to violence.

This draft resolution aims to fill the gender digital divide, and to deal with the biases of automated programs and artificial intelligence. It recognizes the role that new technologies can play to bolster the participation of women in decision-making processes, and for girls to achieve their right to education and access to health care.

Mr. President,

I wish to thank all the delegations who took part in these negotiations. After seventeen hours of meetings and numerous bilateral consultations, the Dutch and French Missions listened carefully to all views expressed and worked to reach a balanced text.

We regret the submission of proposals for amendments to this text and call for the support of the entire 3rd Committee.
I thank you.

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Mr. Chairman,

France regrets that a vote was requested on this draft resolution.

Such a vote does not do justice to the hours of negotiation spent on this text and to the proposed balance between the different points of view expressed. This vote undermines consensus and sends out a negative signal at a time when the United Nations should be united on such a topic.

Just a few days away from the International Day on the Elimination of Violence against Women, we urge on all delegations to vote in favor of this draft resolution.

Thank you.