Today, 8 March, commemorating International Women’s Day, the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia joins the global campaign whose motto this year is: Fund women’s rights, accelerate equality.

In a world facing multiple crises that disproportionately affect women and girls, the task of achieving gender equality is more important than ever. Guaranteeing women's and girls' rights in all areas of life is the only way to ensure sustainable peace and development.  

A significant barrier to achieving gender equality persists due to the lack of funding for measures to attain gender equality. The time for change is now!

From the United Nations, we will continue to support the efforts of the Government and civil society to guarantee the necessary resources for the effective implementation of the gender provisions of the peace agreement, as well as the gender actions of the territorial development plans and the public policies necessary to advance equality. 

We must support the transformative impact of women’s organizations in all their diversity, who are at the forefront of peacebuilding efforts in the territories. 

Investing in women is investing in inclusive and lasting peace.
 

Carlos Ruiz Massieu
Special Representative of the Secretary-General
and Head of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia