DAS Paula Schriefer Speaks at IDLO Side Event "Women's Access to Justice"
Paula Schriefer, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Organizations, on February 28, 2013 participated in a side event at the UN Human Rights Council “Women’s Access to Justice” organized by the International Development Law Organization (IDLO). Moderated by IDLO Director-General Irene Khan, other panelists included Miriam Estrada of the Raoul Wallenberg Institute, Joy Ngozi Exeilo, UN Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children, Erika Feller, Assistant High Commissioner, Protection (UNHCR), Jina Jilani, Advocate, Supreme Court of Pakistan, and Silvia Pimentel, Chair, CEDAW. In her remarks, Ms. Schriefer highlighted that the legal empowerment of women and ensuring their access to justice is an important priority for the United States. She noted, “Women in the United States fought long and hard to achieve laws that protect women from discrimination based on gender and we enjoy the benefits of a justice system that can enforce these laws.” Regarding U.S. international efforts, she the United States issued in 2011 the U.S. National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security, which aims to empower women to act as equal partners in preventing conflict and building peace in countries threatened and affected by war, violence and insecurity and that in 2012 the U.S. Department of State issued an implementation plan on the National Action Plan which outlines our commitments to accelerate, institutionalize, and better coordinate efforts to advance women’s participation in peace negotiations, peacebuilding, conflict prevention, and decision-making institutions; protect women from gender-based violence; and ensure equal access to relief and recovery assistance in areas of conflict and insecurity. She stressed that the United States is proud of its participation in IDLO and its role currently holding the IDLO Presidency. The full text of her remarks can be found here: geneva.usmission.gov/2013/02/28/u-s-remarks-at-womens-acc...
U.S. Mission Photo by Eric Bridiers