Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations and other International Organisations, Ambassador Vincenzo Grassi has vowed to wage war on discrimination against women and girls.
Ambassador Vincenzo Grassi, who spoke at the Interactive Dialogue with the Working Group on Discrimination against Women and Girls at the 59th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, said that the fight would involve the removal of stereotypes and cultural barriers.
He stressed that efforts would also be made to promote an equitable distribution of care work in families between women and men.
“The fight against all forms of discrimination against women and girls is a traditional priority for Italy.”
Ambassador Grassi pointed out that “one of the most urgent challenges to be addressed is the disproportionate impact of care work, the burden of which falls disproportionately on women and girls, often preventing them from pursuing adequate personal and professional development.”
In this sense, he added: “promoting an equitable distribution between women and men of care work within the family and household is a fundamental step towards gender equality.”
The Permanent Representative stressed: “economic empowerment and equal opportunities in access to education, training and career advancement are fundamental in the Italian vision.”
He also stressed the importance of “removing stereotypes and cultural barriers that prevent women and girls from accessing all fields of study and work, including science, technology and finance, as well as supporting female entrepreneurship and leadership positions in decision-making processes.”
