A/HRC/33/68 the last that could solve climate change, noting its impact on gender inequality, and called for inclusion of young people in discussions thereon. 59. In response to some of the issues raised during the discussion, Ms. Anyoti underlined the importance of sexual and reproductive health services, including access to youth-friendly and affordable services. She also stressed the importance of including young people at every level of implementation of the 2030 Agenda, and of consulting them as full partners. C. Interventions by representatives of Member States, observer States and other observers 60. In their interventions, delegates strongly supported the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which integrated all three dimensions – environmental, economic and social – of sustainable development with a rights-based approach. Many delegates highlighted the goal on gender equality, and recognized that, across all regions, many challenges remained to the achievement of equality between women and men. Delegates expressed their commitment to promoting gender equality and combating discrimination against women through the implementation of Goal 5, and by mainstreaming women’s rights throughout the entire 2030 Agenda, to achieve transformative and substantive change. 61. Many delegates regretted that, although women and girls accounted for more than half the world’s population, women’s participation in political decision-making and economic development was still limited. They called for the empowerment of women and girls in social and economic spheres, and the strengthening of women’s leadership and participation in decision-making at all levels. A number of delegates shared suggestions for enabling such empowerment, including a focus on grass-roots interventions, the application of quotas, and the establishment of dedicated mechanisms at the national level to monitor the achievement of gender equality. A representative of one State also proposed the creation of a committee to increase the representation of women on boards of directors in the private sector, and also to increase their representation in high-level and decisionmaking or managerial positions. Microcredit programmes were also highlighted as one measure to boost women’s economic empowerment. 62. Delegates also referred to the importance of ensuring quality education for women and girls not only for them to reach their full potential, but also for the benefit of their communities and countries. The use of ICT was mentioned as a key means to fuel empowerment and education opportunities. Delegates reported on such strategic initiatives as granting full scholarships at the secondary and tertiary levels to all girls studying science; training activities and workshops for women and men in entrepreneurship and innovation; and leadership and early childhood development and gender-sensitive education. 63. Some delegates focused their concern on the realization of sexual and reproductive health and rights. In this regard, they emphasized the continuing violations of women’s and girls’ rights in this area, and the severe consequences of such violations. States’ obligations to ensure rights relating to sexual and reproductive health were particularly noted. 64. Many delegates referred to continued violence against women and girls in all regions, and recalled the disproportionate impact of crises and conflict on women and girls, which raised greater barriers to services and rights. Eradicating the global pandemic of violence against women and girls in the public and private spheres was flagged as an urgent priority for many States, and many good practices were shared in this regard. Several delegates referred to their efforts to criminalize violence against women, including 12