We are summoned here today to mark an event of singular importance for the promotion and defense of human rights in general and, in particular, for the Organization of American States. We commemorate the 80th anniversary of the creation of the Inter-American Commission of Women (CIM), the world’s first intergovernmental organization established to “take up the consideration of the civil and political equality of women in the continent,” and which has now become the leading forum for the generation of hemispheric policies to promote women’s rights and gender equality.

Throughout its history, the CIM, as an inter-American organization for the defense of women’s rights, has repeatedly demonstrated its capacity to promote them, build consensus, and design strategies to transform social and legal realities often inimical to women’s interests and prone to forms of gender-based discrimination. We take great satisfaction in being able to state that the work of nearly a century has resulted, among other things, in women’s access to the leadership of some of our countries through popular election, a development we hope to see continue throughout the Americas.

Today we recall that the CIM has promoted inter-American treaties that have enabled member states to amend legislation to make it more just and equitable for women. Without such regional instruments, the struggle for women’s human rights and gender equality would have been taken up individually by each country, rendering the process less expeditious and much less effective. The impact of the CIM has not been felt solely at the regional level. We point to the part played by its Delegates when, in 1945, they signed the Charter establishing the United Nations and, aware of the importance of extending the CIM’s model to the United Nations system, called for the inclusion of women in its provisions, thus becoming a decisive force in the establishment of the Commission on the Status of Women of said international organization.

The 80 years of the CIM’s existence have yielded achievements through efforts joined to implement the basic principles of the equality and solidarity of all members of society. Accordingly, I wish to pay well-deserved tribute to the women who have contributed to achieving gender equality and continue to do so. To those who, as Presidents, Principle Delegates, and Alternate Delegates of the CIM, or from any other women’s organizations – governmental or nongovernmental – had the conviction and commitment to promote and advance initiatives so that progress would be achieved. Our gratitude too to all those who, in one or another way, whatever their occupation or battle station, collaborated with the CIM or undertook the defense of women’s rights. Our esteem for the women of the Americas for their perseverance and profound belief in aims that made possible this Commission in which we today take such pride.

I also wish to express the appreciation of the OAS to its staff members who, throughout their careers and in the way dictated by each age, understood the problems of the women of the Americas and lent their support to the CIM. I also wish to point to the work done by ambassadors and alternate representatives of the OAS permanent missions, and by representatives of permanent observer missions to this hemispheric forum. Lastly, a much merited tribute to the Executive Secretaries of the CIM and their collaborators for their responsible, creative, and efficient work.

May the CIM go from strength to strength. Many thanks to you all, and may gender equality soon be fact in the Americas.