Statement of NEW ZEALAND at UNGA73

Human Rights: “In an increasingly uncertain world it is more important than ever that we remember the core values on which the UN was built. That all people are equal. That everyone is entitled to have their dignity and human rights respected.”

Participation: “So many gains have been made, each worthy of celebration. In New Zealand we have just marked the 125 year since women were granted the right to vote. We were the first in the world to do so. As a girl I never ever grew up believing that my gender would stand in the way of me achieving whatever I wanted to in life. I am, after all, not the first, but the third female Prime Minister of New Zealand.”

Protection: “We still have a gender pay gap, an over representation of women in low paid work, and domestic violence.

General WPS: “We have to recommit ourselves to gender equality, but we do. And I for one will never celebrate the gains we have made for women domestically. while internationally other women and girls experience a lack of the most basic of opportunity and dignity.”