北约秘书长妇女、和平与安全特别代表舒尔曼2015年国际妇女节致辞

Video Statement for International Women’s Day

Ambassador Marriët Schuurman, NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for Women, Peace and Security

A safer world starts at home.

There can be no lasting peace without equality. When we deny half of the population their rightful part in shaping the future of their countries and the communities they live in.

As an Alliance, we cannot defend our freedom, if we do not live up ourselves to the fundamental principles of equal rights and opportunities NATO is meant to safeguard.

So a safer world starts at home.

And we can make it happen:

By ensuring that no talent remains untapped, that women and men can contribute equally and to their full potential to lasting peace and security at home and worldwide.

By improving the balance of women and men in our missions, operations and institutions.

By actively engaging with women in the areas where we operate, and listening to them.

By enabling women to take their rightful place at negotiation tables and decision making bodies, and to make their voices heard.

As NATO we want to lead by example.

We are actively working towards more diversity in our own organisation.

We are encouraging Allies and Partner Nations to share best practices and monitor and improve the gender balance in their security institutions.

We are aiming for more women in our peace operations, in all ranks and categories.

Because in the words of the NATO Secretary-General:

“Gender equality isn’t optional. It is fundamental.

It allows us to respond better – and smarter – to the many complex security challenges we face today.”

I wish you an empowering International Women’s Day.