Geneva, June 23 (QNA) - HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the UN Office in Geneva, Dr. Hind Abdulrahman Al Muftah, participated in a panel discussion on the intensification of efforts to empower women and girls in and through sport within the 62nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva.

In a statement delivered on behalf of the core group of resolution 59/17 on empowering women and girls in and through sport, which includes the State of Qatar, the Republic of Indonesia, and the Kingdom of Morocco, Her Excellency underscored the importance of sports as an effective tool to promote human rights, as well as values of tolerance, leadership, and equal opportunities.

Sports play a pivotal role in empowering women and girls and backing efforts aimed at achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 5 related to gender equality, Al Muftah said.

The Representative added that despite the progress made in the field of women empowerment, women and girls are still beset by challenges and structural barriers that literally preclude their full participation in sport.

These hiccups, Her Excellency noted, include discrimination, inequality in obtaining resources and opportunities, weak representation in uppermost leadership and decision-making echelons, inequality in wages, as well as harassment and violence inside sports environments.

Al Muftah recalled that UNHRC resolution 59/17 calls for doubling down on efforts to ensure that women and girls participate in sport in a comprehensive and purposeful manner, equally with men.

She encouraged nations, sports organizations, and all relevant entities to pursue policies and measures that deepen equality, ensure secure sports environments, and provide equal opportunities and accountability.

On behalf of this core group, Her Excellency reaffirmed the continued support and promotion of the rights of women and girls, as well as their empowerment through sport, noting that she looks forward to the outcomes and recommendations that this panel will produce.

During the 59th session, the UNHRC unanimously adopted the aforementioned resolution, tabled by the State of Qatar on behalf of the core group, which received broad support within the Council, with 71 nations from various geographical groups co-sponsoring the resolution. (QNA)