"Women's rights are fundamentally, human rights." This was the message delivered by President of Malta Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca during an activity organised by 100 Women in Finance and Valletta 2018 Foundation, which was also attended by the Countess of Wessex, at The Grandmaster's Palace, in Valletta.

President Coleiro Preca said that the wellbeing of women is essential, "if we are to build communities, societies, and countries that are more resilient, inclusive, and respectful for the dignity of all." She continued by reiterating her appeal for all to remain focused on strengthening women's presence and representation in public life, and across all areas of decision-making, while also addressing areas of inequality-such as the gender pay gap-which are standing in the way of the attainment of full gender equality and equity.

"We also need effective protection from all types of abuse, such as domestic and sexual violence" the President said. She added that creating effective protection from all types of abuse is necessary to create deep-rooted solidarity with precarious and marginalised women, and to ensure that women's rights are safeguarded.

"Moreover, all of our efforts should be supported by rights-based education from an early age and at all levels of our education system. In this way, we shall be in a better position to challenge a culture of abuse, and the misuse of power, which impedes the full realisation of human rights for people of all genders."

The President also appealed for unity in condemning all forms of violence and discrimination, particularly on the grounds of gender. "To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity" - Nelson Mandela

Quoting Nelson Mandela, President Coleiro Preca said that this is what happens when women's rights are not safeguarded and they are forfeited from their full humanity.

"We cannot be silent, when the lives of countless women are not respected and are unprotected. It is essential that we continue to make an inclusive, democratic, and rights-based approach our top priority within our nations and across the world, to effectively address these concerns, for the benefit of both present and future generations", the President concluded.