 My name is Veronica Birga. I work with the UN Human Rights Office and I oversee the work of the women's human rights and gender section. Across the globe, being a woman or being a girl means to varying degrees being constrained by patriarchal notions, practices, beliefs that at best limit our options and at worst can result into discrimination, oppression and violence. I stand up for women's and girls' rights by supporting the voice of the courageous women and girls who fight for gender equality and by amplifying their demands for justice. 15 million girls are married off every year. That's one every two seconds. And every day over 800 women die of preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. Stand up for human rights, stand up for women's rights and stand up for a world where all women and girls can have the freedom and opportunity to follow their dreams and aspirations and are not confined or oppressed by outdated notions of what is right and what is appropriate for them.