NEW YORK: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has launched a plan to enhance the empowerment of women around the world, unveiling details at a meeting commemorating International Women’s Day.
Guterres emphasised the long overdue necessity for equality, stressing the imperative to back up words with tangible resources. He underscored the day’s theme of investing in women and girls, stating, “We must invest in women and girls, accelerate progress, and forge a better world for everyone.”
The secretary-general’s newly launched UN System-Wide Gender Equality Acceleration Plan pledges to prioritize the inclusion of women and girls in all aspects of UN endeavours. Guterres asserted, “We will assist governments globally in crafting and executing policies, budgets, and investments that address the specific needs of women and girls.” He highlighted the urgency of elevating the representation of women in leadership roles, noting their pivotal role in advocating for policies and programs that cater to women and girls.
He highlighted the disproportionate impact of global crises on women and girls, ranging from poverty and famine to climate-related disasters and conflict. Reports from various conflict zones have revealed alarming levels of violence against women and girls, necessitating urgent attention to their healthcare needs.
Guterres advocated for targeted programs and quotas to address entrenched biases and dismantle barriers to gender equality. He urged Member States to endorse proposals for metrics beyond GDP at the upcoming Future Summit in September, highlighting the inadequacy of GDP in capturing the contributions of women in domestic labour. Furthermore, he stressed the importance of addressing gender disparities in poverty eradication efforts. —APP
