In the nearly 75 years since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nations and its member states have worked to address human rights violations, including violence against women and girls (VAWG) and abuse of human rights defenders (HRDs). Member state action, however, continues to differ significantly across country contexts, with the potential for regression a constant threat.
Join the Republic of Liberia, the United Kingdom, UN Women, and the Stimson Center for a webinar examining the link between state commitments made at the UN and follow-up domestic action. Speakers will discuss global opportunities and challenges in combatting VAWG and protecting HRDs, with a focus on strengthening partnerships between governments and civil society. The event builds on the findings and recommendations of Stimson’s 2022 report, Strengthening Human Rights: Translating Multilateral Commitments into Action.
Opening Remarks
H. E. Ms. Williametta E. Saydee-Tarr, Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection in Liberia
H. E. Ms. Williametta E. Saydee-Tarr is the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection in Liberia. In her current position, she led efforts for the passage of the domestic violence law and achievement of the Gender in the Economy indicator of the Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact. Prior to her current role, Minister Saydee-Tarr was the founding Executive Director of Nobel Laureate Leymah Gbowee’s Peace Foundation Africa (GPFA), advocating for vulnerable women and girls.
Mr. Richard Croker, Ambassador, General Assembly Affairs, Permanent Mission of the United Kingdom to the United Nations
Mr. Richard Croker is a senior British diplomat who currently serves as the Ambassador to the General Assembly at the UK Mission to the United Nations (UKMis). Prior to his current role, he served as Minister Counsellor for Reform and Finance and Ambassador for Reform at UKMis. Before joining UKMis, Mr. Croker served at the UK Representation to the EU in Brussels as the Antici Counsellor, deputizing for the Permanent Representative in COREPER.
Featured Speakers
Mr. Azril Abd Aziz, Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Malaysia to the United Nations
Mr. Azril Abd Aziz is presently the Deputy Permanent Representative of Malaysia to the United Nations in New York since September 2020. His prior assignments abroad include Geneva, Myanmar and Jakarta, the latter of which he served as Deputy Permanent Representative of Malaysia to ASEAN. At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, he served the Europe and Central Asia Division, Secretariat of the Non-Aligned Movement, Multilateral Security Division and ASEAN-Malaysia National Secretariat.
Ms. Kalliopi Mingeirou, Chief, Ending Violence against Women Section, UN Women
Ms. Kalliopi Mingeirou is currently the Chief of the Ending Violence against Women Section at UN-Women, in New York. She has been leading global initiatives, including diverse interagency initiatives, on prevention of and responses to violence against women and girls. Prior to joining UN-Women, Ms. Mingeirou worked as a lawyer in Greece. She has vast experience in the areas of human rights, women’s rights and refugee protection.
Ms. Patience S. Koteah, Gender and Advocacy Officer, Kvinna till Kvinna Liberia
Ms. Patience S. Koteah is an illustrious young Liberia leader and women rights activist, with expertise in human rights protection and policy advocacy. She currently works at Kvinna till Kvinna as a Gender and Advocacy Officer on the Supporting Effective Advocacy in Liberia (SEAL) project funded by the European Union and as a Programme Officer on the Protection & Support of an Enabling Environment for Human Rights Defenders in Liberia (PROSEED), funded by the UN Peacebuilding Fund.
Mr. Jostein Hole Kobbeltvedt, Executive Director, Rafto Foundation for Human Rights
Mr. Jostein Hole Kobbeltvedt serves as the Executive Director of the Rafto Foundation for Human Rights in Norway. He has a comprehensive background as a human rights advocate working with civil society groups in Africa, South-America and Asia. He served as the Area Representative for Southern Africa in Norwegian Church Aid, based in South Africa (2011-2014). Mr. Kobbeltvedt was a member of the UNCTAD working group on responsible sovereign lending and borrowing (2009-2011).
Moderator
Ms. Lisa Sharland, Senior Fellow and Director, Protecting Civilians in Conflict Program, Stimson Center
Ms. Lisa Sharland is a Senior Fellow and Director of the Protecting Civilians in Conflict Program at the Stimson Center. She was previously the Deputy Director of Defence, Strategy & National Security, and the Head of the International Program at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) in Canberra, Australia. Ms. Sharland served as the Defence Policy Adviser at the Permanent Mission of Australia to the United Nations in New York from 2009 to 2014.
