Al Attiyah Calls for Global Action on Women’s Rights at GANHRI Conference

Geneva, March 16, 2025 – Chairperson of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) and Qatar’s National Human Rights Committee (NHRC), H E Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah, emphasized the urgent need to address economic, social, and political barriers hindering women’s rights. Speaking at the 2025 Annual GANHRI Conference at the United Nations headquarters in Geneva, she warned that the growing backlash against gender issues threatens global progress on equality and justice.
The conference, focused on “The Role of National Institutions in Promoting the Human Rights of Women and Girls,” brought together UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, President of the Human Rights Council Jörg Lauber, and heads of national human rights institutions, experts, and academics.
Al Attiyah highlighted that gender-based violence remains a pervasive global crisis, with millions of girls still denied access to education, healthcare, and leadership opportunities. Despite notable progress, systemic discrimination persists, particularly in political and economic spheres. She stressed that women’s meaningful participation in decision-making is essential to ensuring their rights are protected and implemented effectively.
She underlined the historic responsibility of national human rights institutions (NHRIs) in supporting states through policy reforms, legal advocacy, awareness campaigns, and data collection to combat gender discrimination. Al Attiyah referred to the Amman Declaration (2012) and the Kathmandu Declaration, which provide strategic roadmaps for promoting gender equality. She reaffirmed GANHRI’s commitment to advocating for stronger protections against gender-based violence and greater political representation for women.
Marking the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and the 25th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325, Al Attiyah emphasized the importance of including women in peacemaking and peacebuilding efforts. She highlighted the role of NHRIs in ensuring international commitments are upheld at national and regional levels.
Al Attiyah concluded by stressing that national institutions serve as vital links between governments, civil society, and international human rights frameworks, working to translate legal commitments into tangible protections for women and girls worldwide. She called on global leaders to intensify efforts in closing gender gaps, eliminating discriminatory laws, and ensuring equal opportunities for women and girls across all sectors.