26/01/2012 Session
"Women want their basic human rights respected": stated Michelle Bachelet, Executive Director of UN Women, when addressing PACE on Thursday. Former Chilean President, a long-time defender of women's rights, has advocated for increasing gender equality and stronger women's empowerment. "Our greatest challenge is to make sure that hard won gains for women are not lost but protected and advanced during this time of austerity and transition", she said.
Moreover, Bachelet confirmed UN support to women in the Arab world, and called on Member States to ratify the landmark Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence. "I commend the Council of Europe for its commitment to making equal participation of women and men in political life a reality", she added.