Statement by Spain’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Co-operation, Miguel Ángel Moratinos, Chairman-in-office of the Committee of Ministers

“Gender discrimination is a serious violation of human rights. We strive to achieve that every day during the Spanish Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers becomes an ‘International Women’s Day’ by pushing for real progress on gender issues on a daily basis.

Status of women, de facto equality, empowerment, gender violence, women and disability, are but some of the aspects on which activities have been or are being organised by the Council of Europe, in order to improve the legal framework for gender equality and to ensure its implementation.

I would like to call on member states’ governments and on the international community to join our efforts in further promoting women’s rights.”