This year's anniversary of the 8 March celebrations is marked by major and profoundly subversive developments on the international scene. We are facing a military conflict and an ensuing humanitarian crisis, which puts fundamental human rights and world peace at risk, once again.
In addition to the threat of war overshadowing the entire planet, gender equality seems to have been adversely affected by the protracted crisis arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. Violence against women, unemployment, poverty, social exclusion, discrimination and inequalities experienced by women on a daily basis are some of the challenges we have to face today.
The efforts of the state continue unabated and will be further intensified in order to achieve the goals we have set. The drafting of the first NAP on Resolution 1325 "Women, Peace and Security", the ratification of the Istanbul Convention, the enactment of legislation to prevent and combat sexist violence against women, harassment and stalking have significantly strengthened our legislative framework. At the same time, the creation of the "Women's House", which provides comprehensive support services to victims of violence and the forthcoming establishment of the National Coordinating Body for the implementation and monitoring of the Istanbul Convention constitute another step forward for the country.
Today is not a day for complacency. It is a day to remind us of the duty for a more just and equal society towards all women without exception: working women, mothers, single parents, migrants, asylum seekers, women living in poverty, abuse, deprivation and violation of their rights. It is a day dedicated to women who excel, women who innovate, but even more so to women who struggle in obscurity, with meagre means and great adversity to survive, and who are role models and a source of inspiration for all of us.
We must give women and girls the hope of a better tomorrow, which can only be achieved by providing equal opportunities for access to all areas of life: education, work, health, justice, power.
(BG/EXP)
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