The President of Malta, Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, addressed a high-level United Nations General Assembly side-event organised by Women Political Leaders Global Forum, of which she is an Advisor, and the Permanent Mission of Italy to the United Nations entitled 'Empowering Refugee and Migrant Women in the Integration Process,' at the United Nations Headquarters.

She said that identifying issues of gender is a critical component to develop effective strategies and practical action plans, which must lead also to dignified responses to the challenges of migration, adding that inclusive policies that safeguard the wellbeing of each and every person, and which address the specific challenges being faced by female migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, must be created.

"We must act in favour of equity and equality, by putting into practice, our global commitment to an approach that is rooted in universal human rights and fundamental freedoms," the President stated.

She said that it was the need of finding inclusive responses to the situations faced by migrants and refugees, which led the President's Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society to facilitating a migrant-led NGO platform - the first of its kind in Malta.

This platform, which includes the Migrant Women Association of Malta has ensured that the voices and experiences of female migrants are respected and shared.

The President said that the narratives of female migrants and refugees are of essential value, and quoted recent comments by the Director of UNHCR's bureau for Europe, who had said that "Many women and girls travelling on their own are entirely exposed, deprived of their family or community to protect them. Even those travelling with family are often vulnerable to abuse."

"The narratives of migrant women have essential contributions to make," President Coleiro Preca said, adding that such narratives contribute "to inform our legislation, to advice our policies, and to guide our practices in the area of migration."

The President urged all stakeholders "to listen, to value, and to act upon the experiences of migrant women, in order to formulate and implement more efficient and timely strategies, which respond to the real needs of migrating women and girls."

She said that our solidarity must put into practice "our commitment to create a lasting culture of peace and wellbeing, which embraces people of all ethnicities, of all cultures, and of all genders."

Lastly, tying with the fact that the United Nations commemorates the International Day of Peace on September 21st, The President encouraged all those present, "to strive together, to build a sustainable culture of positive peace and holistic wellbeing, within our communities, within our nations, and across our world, for the benefit of all humanity."

The high-level UNGA side-event was also addressed by Mr Filippo Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Senator Linda Lanzillotta, Vice President of the Italian Senate, Sandra Uwiringiyimana, Author and Human Rights Activist, Hon Wafa Bani Mustafa, Member of Parliament within the Jordania House of Representatives, Silvia Berardi, Representatives of the Protection System for Asylum Seekers and Refugees Programme, and Ms Silvana Koch-Mehrin, Founder of Women Political Leaders Global Forum.