Opening address

In her opening speech, UN Women Executive Director PhumzileMlambo-Ngcuka highlighted the following:

·         In this CSW we also we kick-off a year-long mobilization for the 20th anniversary and review of the landmark Beijing Platform for Action.  From May 2014 and over a 12-month period into 2015, we will review each of the 12 focus areasthat are part of the Beijing Platform, together with Member States, UN agencies and civil society groups.  This will lead to national and regional reports culminating in a single global reporton the progress made. The report will be ready by the General Assembly of 2015 for Heads of State. (NOTE: SI to look into contributing to national reports via UN Women National Committees)

·         The challenge of gender equality and women’s empowerment is not just a women’s issue. This is an issue for humanity, which cannot leave out men and boyswho are half of humanity.  That is why building up to Beijing+20, UN Women has launched the He for She campaign so that men and boys can raise their voices, take a stand and be on the right side of history. We urge men and boys to come out and embrace the campaign as well as take action in their own spaces. (NOTE: SI to learn about possible partnerships in the He for She campaign)

·         She emphasised UN Women’s three key areas for the Post-2015 Agenda:

o   The first is freedom from violence for women and girls

o   The second is equality in capabilities – Access to opportunities and resources. This means recognizing, reducing and redistributing the burden of unpaid care work; ensuring equal access to assets and resources such as education, land and finance; equal pay and working conditions; and guaranteeing sexual and reproductive health and rights.

o   The third area is equality in agency, voice, participation and leadershipacross the full range of decision-making arenas in public and private institutions.

 



Blessings Judy