In a forward for the booklet titled "Equality, Encounter and Renewal", which was published March 7, Sister Alessandra Smerilli, secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, lamented the historic marginalisation of women around the world.

"Despite the equal dignity of every human person, historically over the centuries, in so many aspects of life, women have not been allowed access to the same opportunities men have had," she said.

Apart from facing numerous barriers to opportunity, women and girls, she said, "have also disproportionately been innocent victims of violations against human dignity."

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