Liechtenstein affirms commitment to gender issues in international criminal justice, promises more action to end violence (updated)

Committed to the full implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, Liechtenstein endorses the Political Declaration adopted by the Commission on the Status of Women earlier this year.

Its commitment to international criminal justice has a strong focus on gender issues, and it affirms additional efforts to reach goals for political participation and ensure equal pay for equal work, noting in this regard the calls to action by the UN Global Compact and others.

Liechtenstein will pay special attention to ending violence against women, and to this end has already strengthened national legislation and run a successful government campaign to raise awareness.

Speaking at the Global Leaders' Meeting on 27 September 2015, Prime Minister Adrian Hasler said: “The full inclusion and participation of women is not a matter of political correctness, but rather an indispensable element of success.” [ Speech ]

Developments since Liechtenstein’s commitment

Liechtenstein established an independent National Human Rights Institution in 2016, which has a broad mandate that also monitors the country’s commitments on gender equality and women’s empowerment.

The country has also started a new awareness-raising empowerment project (Women Decide), which focuses on women’s representation in decision-making positions, encouraging women of all ages to strive for public office or leadership/decision-making positions.

In November 2016, Liechtenstein signed the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention).

The Government has also mandated a Working Group to submit proposals of concrete steps and actions that can be taken to implement the 2030 Agenda. [ Full update ]