Latest news with #UNCommissionontheStatusofWomen
Express Tribune
17-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Pakistan advocates gender equality
Pakistan has called for "unwavering and wholehearted" global commitment to ensuring gender equality, the empowerment of women and the implementation of anti-poverty Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). "At this pivotal moment, we must renew our commitment to ensuring that every woman and girl can live with dignity and equality," Pakistani delegate Allah Dino Khowaja told the UN Commission on the Status of Women. Khowaja, the Federal Secretary for Human Rights, was speaking during a general debate on the implementation of the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which advocates for greater equality and opportunities for women and men, as well as girls and boys. He described the Beijing Platform for Action as one of the "most comprehensive and transformative" frameworks for promoting women's rights, but acknowledged that its full implementation remains a challenge due to social and structural issues that continue to hinder progress. Khowaja said Pakistan remains committed to empowering women in all walks of life. "In our pursuit of gender equality and women empowerment, Pakistan is guided by our constitutional obligation, international commitments and above all the vision of our founding father, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who aptly said, 'No nation can rise to the height of glory unless your women are side by side with you'," the Pakistani delegate said. Pakistan, he said, has enacted progressive laws and policies to ensure safeguard the rights of women, provide equal opportunities, and ensure their full participation in national life. In this regard, Khowaja said that Pakistan has prioritized political empowerment and participation, with seats reserved for women Parliament, provincial assemblies ensuring their representations at all levels of decision-making. "(We) proudly share that Pakistan, being Islamic country, had Shaheed Mohtarama Benazir Bhutto as first democratically elected woman Prime Minister, with the Chief Minister of the largest Province (Punjab), Chief Justice of Punjab High Court, Foreign Secretary, and Judges of Supreme Court." Khowaja also said that Women continue to occupy leadership positions in civil bureaucracy and large business boards. He also drew attention to the Prime Minister's recently launched women empowerment package ensuring 33% women representation in all administrative and statutory bodies, financial institutions, while ensuring legal framework for ensuring protection of property rights.
Observer
15-03-2025
- Politics
- Observer
Oman leads women's empowerment at UN CSW
Represented by the Ministry of Social Development, the Sultanate of Oman continues its active participation in the 69th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69), currently being held in New York. The session, which runs from March 10 to 21, 2025, focuses on 'Reviewing and Appraising the Implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action' 30 years after its endorsement. Dr Laila bint Ahmed al Najjar, Minister of Social Development, who leads Oman's delegation, reaffirmed the nation's strong commitment to the Beijing Declaration since its inception in 1995. She highlighted Oman's strategic efforts in implementing the 12 fundamental areas of the Declaration, with a core emphasis on achieving gender equality. Dr Laila noted that Oman has made significant strides in advancing women's education, with a 97.7 per cent female enrollment rate in 2024 and a 66 per cent participation rate in higher education in 2023. Additionally, female graduates in scientific fields have reached 50 per cent. Health indicators also reflect progress, with female life expectancy at birth remaining stable at approximately 79 years from 2019 to 2023. On the economic front, the minister underscored the growing role of Omani women in the workforce, with their participation rising to 34.9 per cent in 2023. As part of its engagement at CSW69, Oman, in collaboration with the Arab League, hosted a side event titled 'Arab Women: Innovation in the Era of the Industrial Revolution.' The event underscored Oman's dedication to global initiatives supporting women's empowerment and was held in alignment with the 'Muscat as the Capital of Arab Women for 2024' programme. Dr Laila met with Soraya Mouloudji, Algeria's Minister Oman's participation also featured a visual presentation showcasing the nation's legislative advancements, statistical insights on women's progress and success stories of Omani women excelling in innovation. On the sidelines of CSW69, Dr Laila met with Soraya Mouloudji, Algeria's Minister of National Solidarity, Family and Women's Issues, at the Sultanate of Oman's Permanent Mission to the UN. The discussion centred on enhancing bilateral cooperation in areas concerning family welfare, women, the elderly and persons with disabilities. Additionally, Dr Laila held talks with Buthaina bint Ali Al Jabr al Nuaimi, Qatar's Minister of Social Development and Family, to explore joint initiatives in family, women's and children's affairs, along with key issues on the CSW agenda. These engagements reinforce Oman's proactive stance in shaping global discourse on gender equality and women's empowerment. — ONA
Jordan Times
13-03-2025
- Business
- Jordan Times
Social development minister highlights Kingdom's innovation-driven future at UN women's summit
Minister of Social Development and Chair of the Ministerial Committee for Women's Empowerment Wafaa Bani Mustafa reaffirms Jordan's commitment to fostering innovation and empowering youth (Petra photo) AMMAN — Minister of Social Development and Chair of the Ministerial Committee for Women's Empowerment Wafaa Bani Mustafa reaffirmed Jordan's commitment to fostering innovation and empowering youth and women under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah. Speaking at a side event hosted by Oman, titled "Arab Women Towards Creativity and Innovation: The Era of the Industrial Revolution," during the 69th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) in New York on Wednesday, Bani Mustafa underscored the critical role of innovation and entrepreneurship in shaping Jordan's future. She emphasised that His Majesty's Economic Modernisation Vision is designed to achieve sustainable growth and enhance the quality of life for future generations by prioritising entrepreneurship, creativity, and cutting-edge services. "Jordan's stability and security have positioned it as a hub for creativity and entrepreneurship, providing an environment that nurtures innovation and offers the necessary tools to transform ideas into real-world success stories, she added. "This is reflected in advancements across education, scientific research, curriculum development, and the introduction of new university programs aligned with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity." She highlighted key initiatives driving innovation in Jordan, including the Crown Prince Foundation, the Innovation Support Fund, the King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau, and Oasis500, which are helping entrepreneurs turn their ideas into viable projects. Bani Mustafa also showcased the success of Jordanian startups in the creative industries and technology sectors, particularly in fintech, e-commerce, software development, and artificial intelligence, noting their growing impact in global markets. She commended their achievements both locally and internationally. Emphasising the need to cultivate a culture of creativity, she called for stronger educational frameworks that encourage critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation, with a special focus on research and development. She also stressed the importance of empowering youth and women, recognising them as the driving forces behind sustainable innovation. Additionally, Bani Mustafa addressed ethical concerns surrounding technological advancements, particularly the risks posed by artificial intelligence. She warned about the rise of deepfake technology, which can manipulate images and videos, potentially leading to misinformation, fraud, and privacy violations. She highlighted the importance of safeguarding personal data and being mindful of AI's reliance on big data and its associated risks. The 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, chaired by Saudi Arabia, is focused on reviewing progress in implementing the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, assessing the outcomes of the 23rd special session of the General Assembly, and addressing current challenges in achieving gender equality, women's empowerment, and their contributions to the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
Morocco World
12-03-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Morocco Shares Efforts to Advance Gender Equality at UN Forum
Rabat – Minister of Solidarity Naima Ben Yahia shared Morocco's approach to promoting gender equality and bolstering women's rights during a ministerial roundtable in New York. The discussion took place as part of the 69th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), which focuses this year on progress since the 1995 Beijing Declaration. Ben Yahia noted Morocco's creation of the Authority for Parity and the Fight Against All Forms of Discrimination (APALD), an independent institution that advises the government and parliament on gender equality policies. The mission of this organization, she says, is to ensure that equality remains a core value in education, training, media, and culture. The authority also tracks discrimination against women and supports institutions in the public and private sectors to adopt fairer policies. Ben Yahia pointed to her ministry's central role in coordinating legislation and public policies related to gender equality, always developing government action plans to address gender gaps and challenge stereotypes that limit opportunities for women and girls. To consolidate oversight, Morocco has set up a national committee for gender equality and women's empowerment. Chaired by the head of government, the committee brings together representatives from civil society, the private sector, and national institutions. The UN Commission's discussions this year revolve around the commitments outlined in the Beijing Declaration, which set priorities in twelve key areas such as poverty, education, health, violence, economic inclusion, and political representation. Countries also assess the challenges that continue to stand in the way of full gender equality and explore ways to accelerate progress toward the UN's 2030 agenda for sustainable development. Morocco has taken gradual steps to address women's rights, with legal reforms and institutional mechanisms designed to create lasting change. Efforts to promote gender equality have gained traction, but gaps remain. The reality for many Moroccan women still falls short of the vision outlined in policies and strategies. Legal protections do not always translate into real improvements in daily life, and cultural and economic barriers continue to slow progress. While there is clear political will to advance women's rights, the path forward remains uneven. This challenge is not unique to Morocco. The global conversation on gender equality has been ongoing for decades, yet solutions often remain theoretical. Governments and international organizations announce policies and frameworks, but real, transformative change remains elusive. Women around the world continue to face systemic barriers, and progress, when it happens, moves at a pace far slower than expected. The gap between commitments and concrete action tells the limitations of current approaches, leaving many to question whether the world is truly ready to address gender inequality in a way that brings about lasting change.
Arab News
11-03-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Saudi Vision 2030 is ‘the beginning of a very good story,' says head of UN Women
NEW YORK CITY: Vision 2030 has become a reality of empowerment for all women and girls in Saudi Arabia, according to Sima Bahous, the executive director of UN Women. She predicted that the rise of women and their role in the Kingdom in recent years is just the beginning — 'and the beginning of a very good story.' Bahous was speaking at a high-level event on the sidelines of the 69th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women, during which Abdulaziz Alwasil, the Kingdom's envoy to the UN and chairperson of the commission this year, outlined the transformative strides Saudi Arabia has taken to advance gender equality and the empowerment of women in various sectors. The event, titled 'From Vision to Reality: Saudi Arabia's Story of Women's Empowerment,' highlighted the policies and initiatives that have helped to propel the participation of women in the Kingdom's labor market, and promote their roles in diverse fields such as technology, innovation and renewable energy. 'We have seen the removal of employment restrictions, growing opportunities for female entrepreneurs, and the rise of women in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and leadership roles,' Bahous said. 'This is a shift not just about numbers but it is a shift about impact, and it is only the beginning of the story — and the beginning of a very good story.' The way forward, she continued, is clear: partnerships need to be strengthened, policies must be implemented and institutions should be reinforced. 'We need inclusive economies, gender-balanced leadership and data-driven solutions to track and sustain progress,' Bahous said. 'And we need to listen to young women, to grassroots leaders, to those driving change from the ground up.' The momentum in Saudi Arabia is undeniable, she added, and continues to build: 'The journey is going but it is not over. The path ahead demands more transformative action. It calls for more progress that is not just imagined by some, but lived by all.' Vision 2030 is Saudi Arabia's plan for national development and the diversification of its economy to reduce the reliance on oil.
