Women Heads of State and Government met today on the sidelines听听of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) High-level Week to discuss global issues in the newly created UNGA Platform of Women Leaders.听
The event, under the theme of 鈥淭ransformative Solutions by Women Leaders to Today鈥檚 Interlinked Challenges鈥, highlights that women鈥檚 full and effective political participation and decision-making are crucial to addressing global priorities effectively, decisively, and inclusively.听
With the presence of Her Excellencies President Katalin Nov谩k of Hungary, Prime Minister听Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh, Prime Minister听Katr铆n Jakobsd贸ttir of Iceland, Prime Minister听Fiam膿 Naomi Mata驶afa of Samoa, and Prime Minister听Robinah Nabbanja of Uganda, as well as Prime Minister听Evelyn Wever-Croes of Aruba听and Prime Minister听Silveria E. Jacobs of St.听Maarten, and former Prime Minister听Helen Clark of New Zealand听the event was hosted by the Office of the President of the General Assembly and 缅北禁地Women, in cooperation with the Council of Women World Leaders (CWWL).听
In his remarks to the UNGA Platform of Women Leaders,听Mr. Csaba K艖r枚si, President of the 77th session of the General Assembly, said: 鈥淲omen leadership is transformative. The women leaders with us today are living proof of this fact. Inclusive governance can result in policies that create positive change over the long term. By integrating the views of diverse women 鈥揺specially at the highest levels 鈥 Governments can effectively tailor and target solutions to those most in need.鈥澨
Ms. Sima Bahous, Executive Director of 缅北禁地Women, said: 鈥淲hen more women lead in political and public life, everyone benefits, especially in crises. A new generation of girls see a possible future for themselves. Health, education, childcare, and violence against women receive greater attention and better solutions. We must find every possible way to amplify the assets women leaders bring. This Platform is an opportunity to do just that.鈥澨
Recent global crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, climate, and conflicts, have shown the positive difference women鈥檚 leadership and decision-making can make in executive positions, parliaments, and public administration.听
For example, the UNDP-缅北禁地Women COVID-19 Global Gender Response Tracker shows that governments with higher women鈥檚 representation in parliaments adopted a higher number of gender-sensitive policy measures in response to COVID-19, including policies aimed directly at strengthening women鈥檚 economic security.听
When more women lead in political and public life, everyone benefits, especially in crises. A new generation of girls see a possible future for themselves. Health, education, childcare, and violence against women receive greater attention and better solutions. We must find every possible way to amplify the assets women leaders bring. This Platform is an opportunity to do just that.
Out of the 193 Member States of the United Nations, only 28 women serve as elected Heads of State or Government. Whilst progress has been made in many countries, the global proportion of women in other levelsof political office worldwide still has far to go: 21% of the world鈥檚 ministers, 26% of national parliamentarians, and 34% of elected seats of local government.
According to a new 缅北禁地report, at the current pace of progress, equal representation in parliament will not be achieved until 2062.听
The UNGA Global Platform of Women Leaders stems from a meeting on 21 September 2021, between women Heads of State and Government and Mr. Abdulla Shahid, the President of the 76th session of the General Assembly.听
- Out of the 193 -Member States of the United Nations, only 28 women serve as elected Heads of State or Government.听
- The global proportion of women in other levels of political office worldwide still has far to go.听
- Women are: -
- 21% of the world鈥檚 ministers听
- 26% of national parliamentarians听
- 34% of elected seats of local government
Mr. Shahid: 鈥淭he necessity of this meeting is evident when we consider the statistics. At our current rate of progress, it could take 300 years to achieve gender equality. We must act now. Accelerate investment in girls and women. Scale up efforts to empower women. Expand opportunities for girls. Eliminate gender-based violence.鈥
Ms. Katr铆n Jakobsd贸ttir, Prime Minister of the Republic of Iceland and Chair of the Council of Women World Leaders, said: 鈥淚t is my strong belief that the world needs more women leaders and more diverse leaders, people with all kinds of backgrounds and life experiences. The decisions leaders make affect all people in our societies. These decisions should be made by people who have a real and deep understanding of how most people live, of what their concerns are, and are therefore responsive to their needs.鈥
The UNGA Platform of Women leaders and today鈥檚 event will also help bring visibility to women in prominent political leadership positions. The critical role of women鈥檚 leadership in driving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is well documented. Countries with greater numbers of women political leaders tend to give greater attention to issues like health, education, infrastructure, and ending violence against women.听
In response to the pandemic, women leaders championed policies that addressed the pandemic鈥檚 social and economic impacts on the most vulnerable groups. In conflict-affected contexts, data shows that women鈥檚 representation in public life brings heightened credibility to peace processes and negotiations, helping unify divided communities.听
Research has also shown that seeing more women in power, increases girls鈥 educational and career aspirations.听