UN General Assembly
2010

terms of capability, efficiency and responsibility, the United Nations system in the field of gender equality and the empowerment of women. The Republic of San Marino pays special attention to this subject and over the last few years has promoted several national initiatives making women in San Marino aware of their rights and of the State protection mechanisms available to them. At the international level, San Marino has joined several campaigns aimed at raising awareness of women’s rights among the public and national authorities, such as the Unite to End Violence Against Women campaign, launched by the Secretary-General in 2008. I would like to underline on this occasion the fundamental importance of the efforts of the international community, as well as pressure exerted by civil society, to achieve higher standards of human rights protection. Moreover, we cannot forget that women and children are always the most vulnerable section of society in situations where rights and fundamental freedoms are violated. In several countries, women have to face very difficult situations: many of their rights are often violated and the authors