President Marie-Louise Coleiro-Preca, currently in Amman, has addressed the Women in Parliament Global Forum, focusing on migration as experienced by women and the urgent need for women to work towards building a global culture of peace.

“Even if the topic of migration is unpopular in many of our countries, we must be brave. We must speak the truth,” she said.

“We must face this reality courageously as women leaders, striving to make a positive, effective, and deep-rooted change. It is only by rising to meet our responsibilities towards the most vulnerable that we shall discover how each one of us, in our roles as decision makers and active citizens, must unite to change this unfolding humanitarian situation for the better.”

She underscored the need for a proper strategy on migration, not management by crisis.

“If people are fleeing in this way, because of whatever adversity instigates their journey, we are duty bound to find ways of addressing their struggles. Impeding the illegal work of smugglers and traffickers is crucial if we are to become active agents in saving lives.”

On the role of women in the promotion of peace, the President said women must become agents for peaceful transformation within their own families, networks, and nations, for the ultimate benefit of all.

“Women and girls are key drivers of the deep-rooted change in mentalities, institutions, and cultures that we so much need.

“Without the empowerment of women, there can be no global culture of peace — this is only possible through a global social inclusion approach, universal education, sustainable economic and social development, democratic participation, and the upholding of fundamental human rights.

“We also need to continue to strengthen existing international principles and instruments that uphold fundamental human rights. It is our duty to foster cultures that are rooted in basic principles of equality, non-discrimination, protection, and peace.”

The President later today also visited the  UNHCR Al-Za’atari Refugee Camp which has a population of 80,000.

Read the speech in full by clicking on the pdf below.