On March 14, 2024, during the 68th Commission on the Status of Women happening at the United Nations, H.E. Dr. Ambassador Beresford-Hill welcomed a Girls Delegation from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America at the Permanent Observer Mission of the Sovereign Order of Malta to the UN. The purpose of the gathering was to explore the crucial topic of the role of women in society. Ambassador Beresford-Hill highlighted the extensive global endeavors of the Sovereign Order of Malta and its crisis response arm, Malteser International, especially the Order’s dedicated support for women and girls.

The presentation embraced various pivotal areas, including healthcare, education, vocational training, food security, nutrition, sanitation and, notably, counseling and assistance for victims of human trafficking. Following this an engaging panel discussion unfolded with the girls inquiring about the different projects of Malteser International, both in the US and globally, along with opportunities for volunteering with the Sovereign Order of Malta, and issues pertaining to the UN and the Mission’s involvement therein. Overall, this collaborative exchange underscored a shared commitment to empowering women and addressing the challenges they encounter worldwide and was a very proactive and informative look at how faith-based organisations contribute to empowering women globally.