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Commission on the Status of Women (CSW67) and Security Council
Alain Berset leads the Swiss delegation to the 67th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, devoted to innovation, technological change and education in the digital age. On 6 March, in the general debate, he quotes Simone de Beauvoir: “Nothing is ever permanently won. A political, economic or religious crisis will be enough for women’s rights to be called into question.” Crises, he says, hit women first. Digital technology helps them, but also reproduces bias through discriminatory algorithms and feeds online violence. In Switzerland, women account for only 37% of graduates in science subjects.
On 7 March, he speaks at the Security Council open debate on women, peace and security, under the Mozambican presidency: “Lasting peace will be built by and with women, or it will not be built at all.” He recalls that Switzerland adopted a national action plan for Resolution 1325 as early as 2007, and asks that the Council’s mandates be translated into budget, staff and policy.
The same day, he opens the ministerial round table on inclusive innovation and safe digital spaces, then brings together his German-speaking counterparts responsible for equality at the Swiss mission: Lisa Paus (Germany), Susanne Raab (Austria), Taina Bofferding (Luxembourg) and Manuel Frick (Liechtenstein).
Sunday 5 March 2023 — New York
- High-level reception at the Swiss residence, in the presence of Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women, address by Alain Berset
Monday 6 March 2023 — New York
- Opening of the 67th session of the Commission on the Status of Women
- Speech in the Commission’s general debate
- Visit to the Swiss Institute
- Receptions hosted by the Prime Minister of Iceland and the European Union delegation
Tuesday 7 March 2023 — New York
- Speech at the Security Council open debate “Women, peace and security”
- Opening speech at the ministerial round table on innovation and safe digital spaces
- Meeting of German-speaking ministers for equality at the Swiss mission
- Press briefing
Speeches on this site
- 67e session de la Commission de la condition de la femme (in French, French-language page)
- Conseil de sécurité : débat ouvert sur les femmes, la paix et la sécurité (in French, French-language page)
Sources