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Madam Chair, At the outset, please allow me to congratulate you on your election as the chairperson of the Third Committee of the 69th Session of the General Assembly. I want to assure you and your bureau of the cooperation and support of the Lithuanian delegation. We are convinced that, under your leadership, this session will be a full success.  Lithuania aligns itself with the statement made by the representative of the European Union.  Lithuania attaches great importance to full and effective implementation of women’s rights. Enhancing women’s participation in political, economic and socio-cultural life has been among the main priorities of Lithuania’s domestic and foreign policy over the past years. Lithuania’s non-permanent membership in the UN Security Council opens new avenues for us to promote and advance international human rights agenda and to further pursue the role of women in peace and security as well as address the challenges women face in armed conflicts and post-conflict situations. 

Madam Chair,

A couple of weeks ago the President of the Republic of Lithuania, H. E. Ms Dalia Grybauskaitė, was elected the Chair of the Council of Women World Leaders.It is the recognition of Lithuania's involvement and commitment in the promotion of women’s rights and yet another opportunity for our country to move forward the agenda of women‘s empowerment worldwide. 

Lithuania is committed to play an active role in the UN human rights system. I am glad to mention that since 2012, Lithuanian representative Prof. Dalia Leinartė has been successfully contributing to the work of the CEDAW Committee (Committee on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women). 

Lithuania actively participates in the international initiatives and deliberations on the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the Beijing Platform for Action, UN Millennium Development Goals and post-2015 Development Agenda, where within the general human rights context great importance is attached to women’s rights as well as equal opportunities for men and women. We are convinced that the new post-2015 Development agenda creates a unique opportunity for accelerating measures aimed at addressing critical issues regarding gender equality and empowerment of women- through inter alia strengthening good governance and ensuring accountability. 

Gender mainstreaming should be effective and efficient in order to accelerate de facto gender equality. Hence, effectiveness of institutional mechanisms is of utmost importance. Let me mention that last year Lithuania, during its Presidency of the Council of the European Union, paid a particular attention to the effectiveness of institutional mechanisms suggesting concrete actions for the EU member states to strengthen institutional mechanisms and indicators in line with the objectives of the Beijing Platform for Action. The EU agency - European Institute for Gender Equality - established in Lithuania has significantly contributed to European exchange of best practices and provisions of relevant solutions in this regard. 

There are so many other positive facts to quote; nevertheless, a number of challenges still remain. Countries chose different paths; therefore experiences and difficulties met on a way might be worth sharing in order to achieve the same goal – gender equality - easier and faster. Against this backdrop, let me mention some good practices from our national perspective. 

Lithuania puts full efforts to mainstream gender equality into international development cooperation. The contribution to the human rights and gender equality development is one of our development cooperation policy aims. A number of gender equality projects and initiatives have been supported and successfully implemented in partner countries in EU neighbourhood and other regions over the past years. 

Lithuanian Government constantly seeks to enhance its efforts in implementation of the UNSCR 1325 and its follow-up resolutions. Since 2011, the National Action Plan for the Implementation of UNSCR 1325 has been implemented and is currently under review. Lithuania joined the informal group of “Friends of Women, Peace and Security” and has been actively participating in its activities. 

Combating domestic violence remains high on the political agenda in Lithuania. Only women free from violence and free from fear of violence can fully contribute to developing modern societies. As a result of the regional initiative - Vilnius European Crime Prevention Network (EUCPN) meeting in Vilnius in 2013 - the Handbook for practitioners of the prevention of domestic violence was published. The Handbook contains crime prevention projects from the EU Member States as well as the Recommendations on Prevention of Domestic Violence. 

Nationally, we have adopted a holistic approach towards the issue of violence against women. In 2011, the Law on Protection against Domestic Violence was passed. Recently the National Programme for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Provision of Assistance to the Victims was adopted. The development of strategic and integrated prevention policies can only be successful when multi-stakeholder participation is ensured. Local NGOs play an enormous role in promoting the cause of combatting violence against women and providing hands-on support to the survivors. Lithuania strongly advocates for the active participation and direct involvement of men and boys. In our publicity campaigns we have sought to involve male role models, well known figures, who could help redefine the perceptions of masculinity and violence, particularly among adolescent boys who are highly susceptible to image issues. Such efforts need to be expanded, both domestically and internationally. 

Madam Chair,

2015 will be a significant year in the field of women’s rights. We will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform of Action and the 15th anniversary of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325. Lithuania stands ready to cooperate in strengthening implementation of relevant obligations and commitments with the aim of achieving further advancement of women’s rights. 

Thank you.