Finland
MEETING OF THE OPEN WORKING GROUP ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
MARCH 31 – APRIL 4, 2014
Statement of Finland by Ms Kirsti Aarnio, Ambassador, Post-2015
[check against delivery]
Thank you, Mr Co-Chair,
I would like to concentrate, in this statement, on gender equality and women’s empowerment. In building
the new sustainable development goals we want them to contribute to eradication of poverty, diminishing
inequalities and be in accordance with all human rights agreements and standards. This cannot be fulfilled
unless we see to it that there will be a stand-alone goal on gender equality and that the full human rights
of women and girls are mainstreamed through all the sustainable development goals and targets. This
means, for instance, that women and girls have to be given a chance to fulfill their potential on every field,
be it going through all levels of quality education or having equal opportunities to health services, freedom
from all forms of violence, access to justice or equal opportunities to equally paid decent work, when time
comes.
The subareas – or targets - under the focus area 5 cover a wide range of themes, where special attention is
attached to women’s and girls’ empowerment. All of them would merit another closer look, but at this
stage I would like to pay attention only to the reference to sexual and reproductive health and rights
which does not adequately reflect the right of every man and woman, boy and girl, to their own sexuality. It
is also important to underline the right to comprehensive sexuality education for all, especially for young
people. In this connection we refer to the recommendations of the “ICPD Beyond 2014 Global Review
Report” (p. 14), which explains that sexual and reproductive health and rights are essential for all people,
particularly women and girls, to achieve dignity and to contribute to the enrichment and growth of society,
to innovation and to sustainable development.
I thank you, Mr. Co-Chair
MARCH 31 – APRIL 4, 2014
Statement of Finland by Ms Kirsti Aarnio, Ambassador, Post-2015
[check against delivery]
Thank you, Mr Co-Chair,
I would like to concentrate, in this statement, on gender equality and women’s empowerment. In building
the new sustainable development goals we want them to contribute to eradication of poverty, diminishing
inequalities and be in accordance with all human rights agreements and standards. This cannot be fulfilled
unless we see to it that there will be a stand-alone goal on gender equality and that the full human rights
of women and girls are mainstreamed through all the sustainable development goals and targets. This
means, for instance, that women and girls have to be given a chance to fulfill their potential on every field,
be it going through all levels of quality education or having equal opportunities to health services, freedom
from all forms of violence, access to justice or equal opportunities to equally paid decent work, when time
comes.
The subareas – or targets - under the focus area 5 cover a wide range of themes, where special attention is
attached to women’s and girls’ empowerment. All of them would merit another closer look, but at this
stage I would like to pay attention only to the reference to sexual and reproductive health and rights
which does not adequately reflect the right of every man and woman, boy and girl, to their own sexuality. It
is also important to underline the right to comprehensive sexuality education for all, especially for young
people. In this connection we refer to the recommendations of the “ICPD Beyond 2014 Global Review
Report” (p. 14), which explains that sexual and reproductive health and rights are essential for all people,
particularly women and girls, to achieve dignity and to contribute to the enrichment and growth of society,
to innovation and to sustainable development.
I thank you, Mr. Co-Chair
Stakeholders