UN Chief urges “renewed determination” for gender equality

UN: For the upcoming observance of Women’s Day, UN Secretary-general Ban-Ki moon asked the global community to unite and pledge in “renewed determination” for a future in gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Ban, addressing the UN meeting to mark the International Women’ s Day which falls on March 8 annually, said: “Let us pledge our renewed determination for a future of equal rights, equal opportunities and progress for all.”

The very identity of the UN is dependent on gender equality and women’s empowerment, Ban said.

Noting the Fourth World Conference on Women was held in Beijing in 1995, which established the landmark Beijing Declaration, Ban said it sent a “clear message to women and girls around the world that equality and opportunity are inalienable rights.”

“Until women and girls are liberated from poverty and injustice, all our goals — peace, security, sustainable development — stand in jeopardy,” he said.

He cited a number of past gains in the international women’s movement, which has become “truly global” since the Beijing Declaration including: increase in primary level education, policies and legislation which support equality and reproductive health and improved representation in the government. Ban warned that much more has to be done with injustice and discrimination continuing to persist, and cited that the worst form that manifests is violence where up to 70 percent of women experience violence in their lifetime. Xinhua