A/HRC/37/28 I. Introduction 1. Pursuant to its resolution 32/17, the Human Rights Council convened, on 25 September 2017, a three-hour panel discussion to discuss, inter alia, the findings of the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the impact of multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination and violence in the context of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance on the full enjoyment of all human rights by women and girls (A/HRC/35/10), and to examine possible recommendations. The present summary report was prepared pursuant to the same resolution. During the panel discussion, participants explored the interface between gender norms, racial discrimination, religious intolerance and xenophobia in the context of women’s and girls’ public participation and empowerment. They examined the impact of intersectional discrimination and violence on the ability of women and girls, particularly those of African descent, indigenous women and girls, those belonging to minorities and those who are migrants, to enjoy their human rights. The discussion touched upon, among other things, the right to decent work and an adequate standard of living, the right to access to quality education and health care, and the right to live a life free from violence. Participants further discussed the situation of women and girls living in poverty within the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 2. The panel discussion built on the above-mentioned report of the High Commissioner and was an opportunity for States and other stakeholders to share good practices and discuss remaining gaps, including in the areas of legal protection, adequate policies, the work of relevant institutions, the existence of data and research, awareness-raising, and monitoring and accountability. 3. The Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva, Ambassador Maria Nazareth Farani Azevêdo, moderated the panel. The panel comprised the following experts: a member of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, Hilary Gbedemah; a professor at the department of economics at University del Valle in Colombia, Carlos Augusto Viáfara López; a researcher and former United Nations youth delegate for Belgium, Warda El Kaddouri; and the Chair of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, Anastasia Crickley. 4. The webcast of the panel discussion is archived and can be reviewed at: http://webtv.un.org. II. Statement by the United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights 5. In her opening remarks, the Deputy High Commissioner emphasized that unequal opportunities and impediments to human development were rarely attributable to discrimination based on a single dimension of a person’s identity. People most affected by discriminatory practices usually faced multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination, which denied them their basic human dignity. She underlined that, although aggregated data showed important progress in the realization of women’s human rights, when data were examined more closely in respect of other dimensions of the human condition, such as racial or ethnic origin, nationality, disability and minority or migration status, deep inequalities revealed themselves. Women from minority groups were more likely to live in poverty, to have lesser access to health services, housing and quality education, to experience violence and to have limited participation in their communities and in public decision-making. She argued that those disparate and unfair outcomes were the result of intersecting and multiple forms of discrimination and were found across regions. 6. Bigotry, discrimination and xenophobia went against international human rights norms and standards, which had resulted from long-standing calls and commitments of the international community. The 2030 Agenda was the most recent authoritative reiteration of the call to ensure equality of opportunity and end discrimination, in particular through Goal 2