On 11 March 2024, during the 68th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, the Latvian Mission to the UN in New York and the Nordic Council of Ministers held a discussion on Ending economic gender-based violence.
The participants discussed solutions to situations of financial dependency and violence in families.
The event was opened by the Prime Minister of Latvia, Evika Siliņa. In her address, the Prime Minister said that many women suffer from domestic violence and are unable to escape this situation for economic reasons. It is even more difficult when there are children in the family. The solution requires State support; for example, so-called crisis apartments are available in Latvia to escape violence. Furthermore, the Prime Minister highlighted Latvia’s efforts to prevent economic violence in families, including the ratification of the Istanbul Convention and the implementation of programmes aimed at achieving a work-life balance, strengthening the role of men in childcare and ensuring equal opportunities in the working environment.
Paulina Brandberg, Swedish Minister for Gender Equality and Working Life, stressed that women’s economic empowerment and the elimination of violence are Swedish, Nordic and global priorities. Anna Bjerde, Managing Director of the World Bank, spoke about gender-based violence as a barrier to national development, the reduction of poverty and shared prosperity. Iluta Lāce, Head of the MARTA Centre, stressed the importance of social and legal mechanisms to protect women from economic violence, as experience shows that women use these mechanisms when they are in place.
Latvia, by standing for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council, is advocating for the protection and empowerment of women. Latvia recognises the crucial role of the Women, Peace and Security agenda in ensuring international peace and sustainable development.
The project was implemented as part of a public diplomacy programme in support of the lobbying campaign for Latvia’s candidacy for the UN Security Council.