a short speech on gender equality

11 superb speeches to inspire us to keep fighting for gender equality, even when we're exhausted

Moving forward requires focus. Mashable's Social Good Series is dedicated to exploring pathways to a greater good, spotlighting issues that are essential to making the world a better place.

It's been a particularly distressing year full of chaos, heartbreak, and loss. And though circumstances are tough and constantly striving for a better world can be exhausting, it's crucial that women (and men, too) continue in the fight for gender equality.

Gender discrimination and the gender pay gap are still realities that women face on a daily basis. And in 2020, women's rights to abortion and more may be at risk if a conservative winds up filling Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's Supreme Court seat.

Thankfully, a whole lot of strong women role models are out there to help lift us up and lead the way. Here are 11 speeches to inspire you to keep fighting for equality, no matter how challenging or hopeless things may feel.

1. Hillary Clinton's "Women's Rights are Human Rights" speech

You may recall Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential concession speech as one of her most memorable, but another truly remarkable address took place in September 1995.

During an impassioned speech at the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, China, Clinton memorably declared, "Human rights are women's rights, and women's rights are human rights."

The then first lady of the United States went on to passionately argue for the rights and freedom of women around the world. She highlighted the need for women to be protected and respected. She called for an end to violence against women and demanded that women be treated equally. She asked that women be given the same access to education, the same freedom of speech, and the same societal and political rights as men. And she lifted women up, as she's done so many times during her career.

2. Leymah Gbowee's 2012 Ted Talk

Leymah Gbowee, a Liberian peace activist, was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize in 2011 for the role she played in ending the Second Liberian Civil War in 2003. Gbowee's nonviolent organizing efforts were historic, and the social worker and women's rights advocate went on to deliver a powerful TED Talk in March 2012 called, "Unlock the intelligence, passion, greatness of girls."

Gbowee shared several formative personal experiences she's had while traveling around the world to speak. She talked about girls she's met and shared bits of their stories. She spoke about her work and the issues she fights for. And she spoke about hope.

"I don't have much to ask of you. I've also been to places in this U.S. and I know that girls in this country also have wishes — wishes for a better life," Gbowee said. "Somewhere in the Bronx... wish for a better life. Somewhere in downtown LA... wish for a better life. Somewhere in Texas... wish for a better life... Somewhere in New Jersey... wish for a better life. Will you journey with me to help that girl?… All they are asking us to do is create that space to unlock the intelligence, unlock the passion, unlock all of the great things that they hold within themselves. Let's journey together."

3. Julia Gillard's famous misogyny speech

In October 2012, Julia Gillard, a former Australian politician who served as Australia's 27th prime minister from 2010 to 2013, delivered a powerful parliamentary speech on misogyny.

In response to opposition leader Tony Abbott's request to have Peter Slipper removed as Speaker over texts sent to an aide, Gillard took the mic and called Abbott out for his own sexist, misogynistic behavior.

"The Leader of the Opposition says that people who hold sexist views and who are misogynists are not appropriate for high office. Well, I hope the Leader of the Opposition has got a piece of paper and he is writing out his resignation. Because if he wants to know what misogyny looks like in modern Australia, he doesn't need a motion in the House of Representatives, he needs a mirror. That's what he needs," Gillard began.

Over the course of the nearly 15-minute address, she proceeded to call out Abbott's "repulsive double standards" on misogyny and sexism.

In a September 2013 appearance on Australian's Kitchen Cabinet interview show, Abbott spoke about Gillard's speech. "Look, politics is about theater and at the time I didn't think it was very effective theater at all," he said. "But plainly it did strike a chord in a lot of people who had not followed the immediate problem that had brought on that particular parliamentary debate."

Strike a chord it did. Though Gillard's speech was seen as controversial by some, it resonated with so many women who had experienced similar behavior, and her words remain unforgettable.

4. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's "We should all be feminists" TEDx talk

Some of you may be familiar with We Should All Be Feminists , the personal essay by Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie that was published as a book in 2014. But did you know the New York Times bestseller is an adapted version of a TEDx talk that the writer delivered in December 2012?

"We teach girls that they can have ambition, but not too much... to be successful, but not too successful, or they'll threaten men," the writer says to the audience. You may recognize bits of audio from the song "Flawless" off of Beyoncé's 2016 album, Lemonade , but Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's full 30-minute discussion of feminism, the role gender plays in today's society, the double standards among men and women, and her own personal experiences is required listening of its own.

5. Malala Yousafzai's 16th birthday address to the United Nations

When Nobel Prize-winning activist Malala Yousafzai turned 16 years old in July 2013, she delivered a profoundly inspiring address at the United Nations. Yousafzai spoke about how she had been shot by the Taliban in 2012, talked of her recovery and how grateful she was to be alive, and laid out an impassioned plea for equality.

"We call upon all communities to be tolerant — to reject prejudice based on cast, creed, sect, religion, or gender. To ensure freedom and equality for women so that they can flourish. We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back," Yousafzai said.

"Dear brothers and sisters, we want schools and education for every child's bright future. We will continue our journey to our destination of peace and education for everyone," she continued. "No one can stop us. We will speak for our rights and we will bring change through our voice. We must believe in the power and the strength of our words. Our words can change the world."

6. Emma Watson's gender equality speech at the United Nations

In September 2014, Emma Watson — British actor, activist, and United Nations Women Goodwill Ambassador — delivered a powerful address on gender equality at a UN Women's HeForShe campaign event.

"Why has the word [feminism] become such an uncomfortable one? I am from Britain, and I think it is right I am paid the same as my male counterparts. I think it is right that I should be able to make decisions about my own body. I think it is right that women be involved on my behalf in the policies and decisions that will affect my life. I think it is right that socially, I am afforded the same respect as men," Watson said. "But sadly, I can say that there is no one country in the world where all women can expect to see these rights. No country in the world can yet say that they achieved gender equality."

Watson went on to explain how she came to understand the word "feminism." She shared personal experiences, discussed how harmful gender stereotypes are, and directly addressed men to remind them, "Gender equality is your issue, too."

7. Lupita Nyong'o speaking at a Black Women in Hollywood event

At Essence 's 2014 Black Women in Hollywood event, actor Lupita Nyong'o was honored for her role in 12 Years a Slave. Nyong'o received the award for "Best Breakthrough Performance" and proceeded to give a truly moving speech about what it means to be a Black woman in Hollywood.

Nyong'o began by sharing a passage from a fan letter she received. A young girl wrote to the actor to say, "I think you're really lucky to be this Black but yet this successful in Hollywood overnight. I was just about to buy Dencia's Whitenicious cream to lighten my skin when you appeared on the world map and saved me."

"My heart bled a little when I read those words," Nyong'o said. "I remember a time when I too felt unbeautiful. I put on the TV and only saw pale skin, I got teased and taunted about my night-shaded skin. And my one prayer to God, the miracle worker, was that I would wake up lighter-skinned."

Nyong'o shared her own struggles with self-image and self-acceptance growing up, expressing why diversity and on-screen representations are so important in the world.

8. Ruth Bader Ginsburg's comments about women on the Supreme Court

The world continues to mourn the loss of the great Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died on Sept. 18, 2020. But her legacy as a Supreme Court justice and fierce advocate for women's rights and equality will never be forgotten.

Justice Ginsburg gave her fair share of powerful speeches on gender equality over the course of her remarkable career, but several beloved RBG quotes were made when she visited Georgetown University in February 2015 and spoke about the many challenges women in her profession face.

"People ask me sometimes when do you think it will be enough? When will there be enough women on the court? And my answer is, 'When there are nine,'" Justice Ginsburg said. You can watch the full conversation here .

9. Michelle Obama's International Women's Day remarks

Like Justice Ginsburg, Michelle Obama has given a number of touching speeches over the course of her career. But on International Women's Day in 2016, the first lady gave an especially moving one at a Washington, D.C., event for Let Girls Learn , the White House initiative she launched to help fight for girls' education around the world.

"The more I traveled and met with girls and learned from experts about this issue, the more I realized that the barriers to girls' education isn't just resources. It's not just about access to scholarships or transportation or school bathrooms. It's also about attitudes and beliefs — the belief that girls simply aren't worthy of an education; that women should have no role outside the home; that their bodies aren't their own, their minds don't really matter, and their voices simply shouldn't be heard," she said.

After touching on additional issues of inequality, such as discrimination and violence against women, Obama went on to remind people there are still so many rights and freedoms to fight for.

"These issues aren't settled. These freedoms that we take for granted aren't guaranteed in stone. And they certainly didn't just come down to us as a gift from the heavens. No, these rights were secured through long, hard battles waged by women and men who marched, and protested, and made their voices heard in courtrooms and boardrooms and voting booths and the halls of Congress."

10. Raquel Willis calling to protect Black trans lives

Raquel Willis , writer and Black transgender activist, gave an extremely empowering speech to a crowd of 15,000 people at a Brooklyn rally for Black trans lives in June 2020.

"I am gonna talk to my Black trans folks first and model what it looks like to put us first," Willis said into the mic. "We have been told to be silent for too long. We have been told that we are not enough to parents, to family, to lovers, to Johns, to organizations, to schools, to our government, to the world. And the truth is that we're more than enough." 

Willis went on to remind Black trans folk to never doubt their power, to never fall silent, and to keep fighting for equality in workplaces, organizations, and every aspect of life. And she called on others to be active allies to the Black trans community.

"Don't ever doubt the faith that you should have for yourself and your people, cause we are the ones changing shit, and we are the lifeblood of everything they've built and tried to lock us out of," Willis said.

"I want you to all also remember, whether you are Black or trans or not, you have a duty and responsibility to elevate Black trans power," she added.

11. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's response to Congressman Ted Yoho

In the two years since Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez won the Democratic primary election for New York's 14th congressional district, she's made her fair share of striking, inspirational speeches. After Justice Ginsburg died, the Congresswoman delivered raw, deeply emotional comments on Instagram Live that inspired many continue to fight for issues, like gender equality, that were so close to Ginsburg's heart.

One of AOC's most memorable speeches of 2020 took place in July when she spoke on the House floor to address the hateful comments that Republican Rep. Ted Yoho made toward her. After Yoho reportedly confronted AOC on the steps of Capitol Hill and called her "disgusting" and a "fucking bitch," the Congresswoman spoke out on behalf of herself and all women.

"When you do that to any woman, what Mr. Yoho did was give permission to other men to do that to his daughters," she said. "In using that language in front of the press he gave permission to use that language against his wife, his daughters, women in his community. And I am here to stand up to say that is not acceptable."

"I do not care what your views are. It does not matter how much I disagree, or how much it incenses me, or how much I feel that people are dehumanizing others. I will not do that myself," Ocasio-Cortez continued, noting that she would never use such disrespectful language toward Yoho or anyone else. "I will not allow people to change and create hatred in our hearts."

"Treating someone with dignity and respect makes a decent man, and when a decent man messes up, as we all are bound to do, he tries his best and does apologize," the Congresswoman said. "Not to save face. Not to win a vote. He apologizes genuinely to repair and acknowledge the harm he has done so that we can all move on."

Topics Activism Social Good

Nicole is a Senior Editor at Mashable. She primarily covers entertainment and digital culture trends, and in her free time she can be found watching TV, sending voice notes, or going viral on Twitter for admiring knitwear. You can follow her on Twitter @nicolemichele5 .

5 Powerful speeches by women in the 21st century

This women's equality day, join us in celebrating some of the most powerful speeches by women..

We may only be two decades in, but the 21st century has seen monumental shifts regarding gender equality. Movements such as #metoo, global fights for abortion rights, and the Saudi Arabian women's driving ban are a few that have highlighted the issue.

When you think of great speeches in history, images of Winston Churchill, Martin Luther King, and Barack Obama may spring forth. Due to ingrained biases, women have always needed to 'speak louder to have their voices heard'. Women's Equality Day, often referred to as Gender Equality Day, commemorates when Secretary of State Bainbridge Colby signed the proclamation granting American women the right to vote . On this Women's Equality Day (26th August 2021), we celebrate powerful speeches by women on the world stage fighting for equal rights. 

Oprah Winfrey

While receiving an award for 'Outstanding Contributions to the World of Entertainment' at the 2018 Golden Globes, Oprah Winfrey gave one of the most moving speeches by a woman at the awards. 

As someone born into poverty to a single mother who overcame discrimination with race and gender to succeed, she gave a rousing speech addressing the evolution of women's equality. Even more fitting, she was the first black woman to have received that award.

Key points of interest

[00:05:20] 

'In 1944, Recy Taylor was a young wife and a mother. She was just walking home from a church service she attended in Abbeville, Alabama, when she was abducted by six armed white men raped and left blindfolded by the side of the road coming home from church. They threatened to kill her if she ever told anyone. But her story was reported to the NAACP, where a young worker by the name of Rosa Parks became the lead investigator on her case'

[00:08:21] 

'So I want all the girls watching here now to know that a new day is on the horizon. And when that new day finally dawns. It will be because of a lot of magnificent women, many of whom are right here in this room tonight, and some pretty phenomenal men fighting hard to make sure that they become the leaders who take us to the time when nobody ever has to say me too again.'

Read the entire transcript here .

Frances McDormand

Upon receiving her 2nd Oscar in 2018, Frances McDormand's speech received a standing ovation after highlighting the integral role women have in Hollywood - both in front of and behind the camera. 

The 'mic drop' moment was the mention of the ' inclusion rider .' An inclusion rider is a clause actors and filmmakers can insert into their contracts to ensure an appropriate level of diversity in a cast, from women to people of color, the LGBTQ+ community, and people with disabilities.

Key points of interest: 

[00:03:16] 

'And now I want to get some perspective. If I may be so honored to have all the female nominees in every category stand with me in this room tonight. [...] OK, look around, everybody, look around, ladies and gentlemen, because we all have stories to tell and projects we need financed'

[00:04:15] 

'I have two words to leave with you tonight. Ladies and gentlemen, Inclusion Rider.'

Read the whole speech here .

Emma Watson

From actress to activist, Emma Watson is an outspoken supporter of gender equality. In a passionate women's rights speech at the UN in 2014, she declared gender equality an issue for both males and females to advocate. She asserted that 'feminism' has almost become a dirty word and that it is down to the inadvertent feminists to strengthen the movement. 

She also talked about gender equality from a male perspective, highlighting mental health and gender stereotypes, demonstrating that men do not have gender equality either. 

Key points of interest:

[00:01:51] 

'The more I've spoken about feminism, the more I have realized that fighting for women's rights has too often become synonymous with man-hating. If there is one thing I know for certain. It is that this has to stop. For the record, feminism, by definition, is the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities.'

[00:04:05] 

'I am from Britain. And I think it is right that I am paid the same as my male counterparts. I think it is right that I should be able to make decisions about my own body. I think. I think it is right that women be involved on my behalf in the policies and the decisions that will affect my life. I think it is right that socially I am afforded the same respect as men. But sadly, I can say that there is no one country in the world where all women can expect to receive these rights. No country in the world can yet say that they have achieved gender equality.'

[00:08:35] 

'If men don't have to be aggressive in order to be accepted, women won't feel compelled to be submissive. If men don't have to control, women won't have to be controlled. Both men and women should feel free to be sensitive, both men and women should feel free to be strong. It is time that we all perceive gender on a spectrum instead of two sets of opposing ideals.'

The entire transcript can be found here .

Malala Yousafzai

Malala Yousafzai is one of the leading women's rights activists globally and the youngest person (and first Pakistani) to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014. In her acceptance speech, she delivered a heartfelt message advocating a women's right to education. She sheds light on women's rights from a unique cultural point of view.

[00:03:39] 

'I have found that people describe me in many different ways. Some people call me the girl who was shot by the Taliban and some the girl who fought for her rights. [...] As far as I know, I'm just a committed and even stubborn person who wants to see every child getting quality education. Who wants to see women having equal rights and who wants peace in every corner of the world.'

Read the transcript in Trint .

Greta Thunberg

The youngest on our list, Greta Thunberg, is a name synonymous with activism. This is more of an honorable mention as her speech at the UN Climate Action Summit in 2019 focused on climate change rather than gender equality. However, even at the age of 16, and speaking in her non-native tongue, Thunburg faced gender-based bias following the speech. There was online backlash due to her emotional tone and age, proving that women's rights have a long way to go before equality is reached. 

Key point of interest:

[00:00:54] 

'You have stolen my dreams and my childhood with your empty words, yet I'm one of the lucky ones. People are suffering. People are dying. Entire ecosystems are collapsing. We are in the beginning of a mass extinction and all you can talk about is the money and fairy tales of his time of economic growth. How dare you?'

The speech transcript is here for you to read .

What's next for women's equality?

Thanks to these speeches by women, the topic of gender equality remains at the forefront of the public's mind. Having said that, there is still some way to go in the case of equal pay and gender stereotypes and other global issues. However, these speeches have given women a platform in which to make their voices heard. 

Trint is an employer committed to equality for both genders with a number of initiatives like our Women in Tech and Diversity and Inclusion groups. We are committed to providing equal opportunities to our employees. 

We used Trint to transcribe the MP4 files of these speeches, try it out for yourself .

Your free trial awaits, learn more about trint for enterprise.

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3 Minute Speech on Gender Equality in English for Students

Good morning everyone, today I am going to share my views on the topic “Gender equality”.

Gender equality, besides being a fundamental human right, is essential to achieve peaceful societies, with full human potential and sustainable development. It is important in empowering women  and economic growth.

In the absence of equal rights for women, this inequality is a concern for everyone. A key component of sustainable development, economic growth, and peace and security is the concept of gender equality and women empowerment.

Related Posts:

Emma Watson's 2014 Speech on Gender Equality

Celebrity Feminism, Privilege, and the United Nations' HeForShe Movement

• News & Issues
• Key Concepts
• Major Sociologists
• Research, Samples, and Statistics
• Recommended Reading
• Archaeology
• Ph.D., Sociology, University of California, Santa Barbara
• M.A., Sociology, University of California, Santa Barbara
• B.A., Sociology, Pomona College

On Sep. 20, 2014, British actress and Goodwill Ambassador for U.N. Women Emma Watson gave a smart, important, and moving speech about gender inequality and how to fight it. In doing so, she launched the HeForShe initiative, which aims to get men and boys to join the feminist fight for gender equality . In the speech, Watson made the important point that in order for gender equality to be achieved, harmful and destructive stereotypes of masculinity and behavioral expectations for boys and men have got to change .

Emma Watson is a British actress and model born in 1990, who is best known for her 10-year stint as Hermione Granger in the eight "Harry Potter" movies. Born in Paris, France to a pair of now-divorced British lawyers, she made a reported $60 million for playing Granger in the eight Harry Potter films.

Watson began taking acting classes at six years of age and was selected for the "Harry Potter" cast in 2001 at age nine. She attended the Dragon School in Oxford, and then the Headington private girls' school. Eventually, she received a bachelor's degree in English literature at Brown University in the United States.

Watson has been actively involved in humanitarian causes for several years, working to promote fair trade and organic clothing, and as an ambassador for CAMFED International, a movement to educate girls in rural Africa.

Celebrity Feminism

Watson is one of several women in the arts who have leveraged their high profile status to bring women's rights issues to the public eye. The list includes Jennifer Lawrence, Patricia Arquette, Rose McGowan, Annie Lennox, Beyonce, Carmen Maura, Taylor Swift, Lena Dunham, Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson, Lady Gaga, and Shailene Woodley, although some have refused to self-identify as "feminists."

These women have been both celebrated and criticized for the positions they have taken; the term "celebrity feminist" is sometimes used to denigrate their credentials or question their authenticity, but there is no doubt that their championships of different causes have shed public light into myriad issues.

The U.N. and HeForShe

In 2014, Watson was named a U.N. Women Goodwill Ambassador by the United Nations, a program that actively involves prominent personalities in the fields of arts and sports to promote U.N. programs. Her role is to serve as an advocate for U.N. Women's gender equality campaign known as HeForShe.

HeForShe , led by the U.N.'s Elizabeth Nyamayaro and under the direction of Sima Bahous, is a program dedicated to improving the status of women and inviting men and boys around the world to stand in solidarity with women and girls as they make that make gender equality a reality.

The speech at the United Nations was part of her official role as U.N. Women Goodwill Ambassador. Below is the full transcript of her 13-minute speech; after that is a discussion of the speech's reception.

Emma Watson's Speech at the U.N.

Today we are launching a campaign called HeForShe. I am reaching out to you because we need your help. We want to end gender inequality, and to do this, we need everyone involved. This is the first campaign of its kind at the UN. We want to try to mobilize as many men and boys as possible to be advocates for change. And, we don’t just want to talk about it. We want to try and make sure that it’s tangible.

I was appointed as Goodwill Ambassador for UN Women six months ago. And, the more I spoke about feminism, the more I realized that fighting for women’s rights has too often become synonymous with man-hating. If there is one thing I know for certain, it is that this has to stop.

For the record, feminism by definition is the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities. It is the theory of political, economic and social equality of the sexes.

I started questioning gender-based assumptions a long time ago. When I was 8, I was confused for being called bossy because I wanted to direct the plays that we would put on for our parents, but the boys were not. When at 14, I started to be sexualized by certain elements of the media. When at 15, my girlfriends started dropping out of sports teams because they didn’t want to appear muscly. When at 18, my male friends were unable to express their feelings.

I decided that I was a feminist, and this seemed uncomplicated to me. But my recent research has shown me that feminism has become an unpopular word. Women are choosing not to identify as feminists. Apparently, I’m among the ranks of women whose expressions are seen as too strong, too aggressive, isolating, and anti-men. Unattractive, even.

Why has the word become such an uncomfortable one? I am from Britain, and I think it is right I am paid the same as my male counterparts. I think it is right that I should be able to make decisions about my own body. I think it is right that women be involved on my behalf in the policies and decisions that will affect my life. I think it is right that socially, I am afforded the same respect as men.

But sadly, I can say that there is no one country in the world where all women can expect to see these rights. No country in the world can yet say that they achieved gender equality. These rights, I consider to be human rights but I am one of the lucky ones. My life is a sheer privilege because my parents didn’t love me less because I was born a daughter. My school did not limit me because I was a girl. My mentors didn’t assume I would go less far because I might give birth to a child one day. These influencers were the gender equality ambassadors that made me who I am today. They may not know it, but they are the inadvertent feminists who are changing the world today. And we need more of those.

And if you still hate the word, it is not the word that is important. It’s the idea and the ambition behind it, because not all women have received the same rights I have. In fact, statistically, very few have.

In 1995, Hillary Clinton made a famous speech in Beijing about women’s rights. Sadly, many of the things that she wanted to change are still true today. But what stood out for me the most was that less than thirty percent of the audience were male. How can we effect change in the world when only half of it is invited or feel welcome to participate in the conversation?

Men, I would like to take this opportunity to extend your formal invitation. Gender equality is your issue, too. Because to date, I’ve seen my father’s role as a parent being valued less by society, despite my need of his presence as a child, as much as my mother’s. I’ve seen young men suffering from mental illness, unable to ask for help for fear it would make them less of a man. In fact, in the UK, suicide is the biggest killer of men between 20 to 49, eclipsing road accidents, cancer and coronary heart disease. I’ve seen men made fragile and insecure by a distorted sense of what constitutes male success. Men don’t have the benefits of equality, either.

We don’t often talk about men being imprisoned by gender stereotypes, but I can see that they are, and that when they are free, things will change for women as a natural consequence. If men don’t have to be aggressive in order to be accepted, women won’t feel compelled to be submissive. Both men and women should feel free to be sensitive. Both men and women should feel free to be strong. It is time that we all perceive gender on a spectrum, instead of two sets of opposing ideals. If we stop defining each other by what we are not, and start defining ourselves by who we are, we can all be freer, and this is what HeForShe is about. It’s about freedom.

I want men to take up this mantle so that their daughters, sisters, and mothers can be free from prejudice, but also so that their sons have permission to be vulnerable and human too, reclaim those parts of themselves they abandoned, and in doing so, be a more true and complete version of themselves.

You might be thinking, “Who is this Harry Potter girl, and what is she doing speaking at the UN?” And, it’s a really good question. I’ve been asking myself the same thing.

All I know is that I care about this problem, and I want to make it better. And, having seen what I’ve seen, and given the chance, I feel it is my responsibility to say something.

Statesman Edmund Burke said, “All that is needed for the forces of evil to triumph is for good men and women to do nothing.”

In my nervousness for this speech and in my moments of doubt, I told myself firmly, “If not me, who? If not now, when?” If you have similar doubts when opportunities are presented to you, I hope those words will be helpful. Because the reality is that if we do nothing, it will take seventy-five years, or for me to be nearly 100 before women can expect to be paid the same as men for the same work. 15.5 million girls will be married in the next 16 years as children. And at current rates it won’t be until 2086 before all rural African girls will be able to receive a secondary education.

If you believe in equality, you might be one of those inadvertent feminists that I spoke of earlier, and for this, I applaud you. We are struggling for a uniting word, but the good news is, we have a uniting movement. It is called HeForShe. I invite you to step forward, to be seen and to ask yourself, “If not me, who? If not now, when?”

Thank you very, very much.

Reception of Emma Watson's Speech

Most of the public reception for Watson's speech has been positive: The speech got a thunderous standing ovation at U.N. headquarters; Joanna Robinson writing in Vanity Fair called the speech " impassioned ;" and Phil Plait writing in Slate called it " stunning ." Some positively compared Watson's speech with Hilary Clinton's speech to the U.N. 20 years earlier.

Other press reports have been less positive. Roxane Gay writing in The Guardian , expressed her frustration that the idea of women asking for the rights that men already have only sells when delivered " in the right package : a particular kind of beauty, fame, and/or self-deprecating brand of humor." Feminism should not be something that needs a seductive marketing campaign, she said.

Julia Zulwer writing in Al Jazeera wondered why the United Nations picked a " foreign, distant figure " to be the representative for the women of the world.

Maria Jose Gámez Fuentes and colleagues argue that the HeForShe movement as expressed in Watson's speech is an innovative attempt to connect with the experiences of many women, without focusing on the trauma. However, the HeForShe movement asks for the activation of action by the people who hold power. That, say the scholars, denies the agency of women as the subjects of violence, inequality, and oppression, instead giving men the ability to restore this lack of agency, to empower the women and offer them freedom. The will to eradicate gender inequality depends on the will of the males, which is not a traditional feminist principle.

The MeToo Movement

However, all of this negative reaction predates the #MeToo movement, and the election of Donald Trump, as of course did Watson's speech. There are some signs that feminists of all stripes and across the world are feeling rejuvenated by the open criticism and in many cases the fall of very powerful men because they abused that power. In March of 2017, Watson met and discussed gender equality issues with bell hooks , a powerful icon of the feminist movement since the 1960s.

As Alice Cornwall puts it, "shared outrage can offer a powerful basis for connection and solidarity that can reach across the differences that might otherwise divide us." And as Emma Watson says, "If not me, who? If not now, when?"

Additional References

• Brady, Anita. " Taking Time between G-String Changes to Educate Ourselves: Sinéad O’Connor, Miley Cyrus, and Celebrity Feminism ." Feminist Media Studies 16.3 (2016): 429-44. Print.
• Cornwall, Andrea. "Taking Off International Development's Straightjacket of Gender." Brown Journal of World Affairs 21.1 (2014-2015): 127-39. Print.
• Gámez Fuentes, María José, Emma Gómez Nicolau, and Rebeca Maseda García. " Celebrities, Gender-Based Violence and Women's Rights: Towards the Transformation of the Framework of Recognition ." Revista Latina de Comunicación Social , 71 (2016): 833-52. Print.
• Gay, Roxane. " Emma Watson? Jennifer Lawrence? These Aren't the Feminists You're Looking For ." The Guardian October 14, 2014. Web, accessed February 16, 2018.
• Hamad, Hannah, and Anthea Taylor. " Introduction: Feminism and Contemporary Celebrity Culture ." Celebrity Studies 6.1 (2015): 124-27. Print.
• Kennelly, Alexah. " #Activism: Identity, Affiliation, and Political Discourse-Making on Twitter ." The Arbutus Review 6.1 (2015). Print.
• MacDonald, Fiona. " Knocking Down Walls in Political Science: In Defense of an Expansionist Feminist Agenda ." Canadian Journal of Political Science 50.2 (2017): 411-26. Print.
• Matos, Julie. "Women's Rights in Public Address: A Feminist Rhetorical Critique." Colloquy 11 (2015): 1-22. Print.
• Plait, Phil. " I Stand with Emma Watson ." Slate September 23, 2014. Web, accessed February 16, 2018.
• Rottenberg, Catherine. " Neoliberal Feminism and the Future of Human Capital ." Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society 42.2 (2017): 329-48. Print.
• Zulver, Julia. " Is Emma Watson the Right Woman For the Job? " Al Jazeera September 24, 2014. Web, accessed February 16, 2018.

Siegel, Tatiana. “ Emma Watson and What Disney Pays Its Modern Princesses .”  The Hollywood Reporter , 20 Dec. 2019.

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10 Famous Speeches To Ignite The Feminist Fire Within You

Be inspired by the words of these powerful women

Throughout history, so many of the people to make us stop and take note with their famous speeches have been women. From the women's suffrage movement in the 1800s and feminism's second wave in the 1970s to the global Women's March in 2017, the words and actions of famous figures such as Emmeline Pankhurst, Virginia Woolf, Maya Angelou and Gloria Steinhem (to name just a few) have transformed society.

It might explain then why the theme of International Women's Day 2021 was #ChooseToChallenge. We can learn so much from the powerful actions and inspiring words of the women who came before us – but, also, there's still so much work we have to do. It's our duty to carry on their work, challenging and changing and speaking up for equality .

And so here, we've rounded up the most famous speeches from a new era of women, who are continuing the task of transforming opinions, breaking boundaries and inspiring us all to keep choosing to challenge. Listen, learn and take note.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Will Not Accept Your Apology

After Florida Representative Ted Yoho reportedly called Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez 'a f*cking b*tch' on the steps of the Capitol in July 2020, he tried to excuse his behaviour by saying he has a wife and daughters. In response, AOC (as she's commonly referred to) took to the House floor with what has since been hailed 'the most important feminist speech of a generation' – fluently and passionately detailing why his 'apology' was, simply, not good enough.

Quotes of note:

'I am someone's daughter too. My father, thankfully, is not alive to see how Mr Yoho treated his daughter. My mother got to see Mr. Yoho's disrespect on the floor of this House towards me on television, and I am here because I have to show my parents that I am their daughter and that they did not raise me to accept abuse from men.

'What I believe is that having a daughter does not make a man decent. Having a wife does not make a decent man. Treating people with dignity and respect makes a decent man, and when a decent man messes up, as we all are bound to do, he tries his best and does apologise.'

Natalie Portman On Dismantling The Patriarchy

From her smart quip of 'here are all the male nominees' at the 2018 Golden Globes , calling out the women directors snubbed for the category, to her rousing 'f*ck up and thrive, sisters' speech at the ELLE Women In Hollywood event in 2019, Portman consistently calls out inequality in the film industry. And the actor's address at Variety's Women of Power event in 2019 was no different. In what is now referred to as 'Natalie Portman's Step-by-Step Guide to Toppling the Patriarchy', she made a strong case for all the ways in which we, as individuals, can make a difference.

'Be embarrassed if everyone in your workplace looks like you. Pay attention to physical ability, age, race, sexual orientation, gender identity and make sure you've got all kinds of experiences represented.

'Stop the rhetoric that a woman is crazy or difficult. If a man says a woman is crazy or difficult, ask him: What bad thing did you do to her? It's code that he is trying to discredit her reputation. Make efforts to hire people who've had their reputations smeared in retaliation.'

Michelle Obama On The Inequality Of Failure

Let's be honest: there are so many Michelle Obama speeches to choose from – the former FLOTUS is renowned for her passion for equality and her ability to uplift others with her words. But in a poignant keynote conversation with Tracee Ellis Ross at the United State of Women Summit in 2018, Obama spoke openly about the often-overlooked inequality of failure, and the disparities in repercussions for men and women.

Quote of note:

'I wish that girls could fail as bad as men do and be OK. Because let me tell you, watching men fail up, it is frustrating. It's frustrating to see a lot of men blow it and win. And we hold ourselves to these crazy, crazy standards.

'Start with what you can control. You start there. Because thinking about changing your workplace and changing the way the world thinks – that's big; that's daunting. And then you shrink from that. So start with what you can control. And that's you, first. And those questions start within. First, we must ask ourselves, "Are we using our voices? And when are we not? When are we playing it safe?" And at least be cognisant of that and understand, "These are the times that I shrunk away from doing more than I could, and let me think about why that was."'

Gina Martin On Misogyny, The Power Of Anger And How She Changed The Law

As she tells us in this refreshing TEDx talk from 2020, Gina Martin is not the kind of woman you'd expect to change the law. And yet, she did. The activist discusses the moment in 2017 when a stranger took a picture of her crotch at a festival without her consent – and how, after years of relentless campaigning, she succeeded in making upskirting a criminal offence. Martin makes it clear that anyone can make a change, no matter who they are or where they're from. And that's a lesson we all need to hear.

'Anger is a very normal response to having your human rights compromised. That's important to say. We have to stop using it to delegitimise people, with "angry feminist" or "angry Black woman" – all of these stereotypes. People are allowed to be angry about this stuff. And we have to hold space for them there. We have to realise it's not about us.

'Think about where you hold privilege – it might be in your job, as a parent, as a teacher, or just in the colour of your skin – and start this work now. Stop laughing at the jokes, buy the book, go to the event, diversify your social feeds, ask the questions. Sympathy is soothing, but it doesn't go far enough. Action does. And listen, you'll get things wrong. We all do, I've had some clangers. But it's not about perfection, it's about progress, it's about doing it because it's the right thing to do. We are so done with waiting for society to "change things" for us. We literally are society.'

Lady Gaga On Reclaiming Your Power

When Lady Gaga accepted her ELLE Women In Hollywood award in 2018, her career appeared to be at an all-time high, with Oscar buzz for her role in A Star Is Born , and her song 'Shallow' at number one in the US. But, as she explained, what people perceive a woman, especially in Hollywood, isn't always the reality.

Gaga may have made this moving speech several years ago, but it feels particularly poignant to revisit it during a period in which violence towards women is a more devastating and pressing topic than ever. In it, Gaga recounts how being sexually assaulted caused her to 'shut down' and 'hide'. She explores the debilitating effect of shame on her mental health and also the power of kindness and support in overcoming it.

Importantly, Gaga explains that she eventually found her power within herself – and how, once she took it back, she was able to use it to move beyond the prescribed expectations society puts upon women.

'What does it really mean to be a woman in Hollywood? We are not just objects to entertain the world. We are not simply images to bring smiles or grimaces to people's faces. We are not members of a giant beauty pageant meant to be pit against one another for the pleasure of the public. We women in Hollywood, we are voices. We have deep thoughts and ideas and beliefs and values about the world and we have the power to speak and be heard and fight back when we are silenced.'

'I decided today I wanted to take the power back. Today I wear the pants... I had a revelation that I had to be empowered to be myself today more than ever. To resist the standards of Hollywood, whatever that means. To resist the standards of dressing to impress. To use what really matters: my voice.'

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie On Redefining Feminism

You may not have knowingly heard to author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's speech before, but there's a good chance you will have listened to her words without realising – Beyoncé actually weaved a key part of Adichie's feminist manifesto into her track '***Flawless'. In her speech, Adichie reflects on the gender disparities still evident our society, with a focus on those in her native Africa, and dissects the meaning of 'feminist' – both the connotations and myths it carries – and how she came to define the term for herself.

'We teach girls to shrink themselves, to make themselves smaller, we say to girls, "You can have ambition, but not too much. You should aim to be successful, but not too successful, otherwise you would threaten the man." ...But what if we question the premise itself? Why should a woman's success be a threat to a man?

'I want to be respected in all of my femaleness because I deserve to be. Gender is not an easy conversation to have. For both men and women, to bring up gender is sometimes to encounter almost immediate resistance... Some of the men here might be thinking, "OK, all of this is interesting, but I don't think like that." And that is part of the problem – that many men do not actively think about gender or notice gender is part of the problem.'

Kamala Harris On Setting A New Standard For The Next Generation

On November 7 2020, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris delivered her first national address after Joe Biden 's position as President was secured. As the first woman to hold the position and the first person of colour to do so, Harris' presence alone was enough to break boundaries. But then came her words. In the speech, she reflected on triumph of democracy and credited the work of the women who came before us, plus that of 'a new generation of women in... who cast their ballots and continued the fight for their fundamental right to vote and be heard'.

'While I may be the first woman in this office, I will not be the last, because every little girl watching tonight sees that this is a country of possibilities. And to the children of our country, regardless of your gender, our country has sent you a clear message: Dream with ambition, lead with conviction, and see yourselves in a way that others may not, simply because they've never seen it before, but know that we will applaud you every step of the way.'

Amanda Gorman On Finding Your Voice

If you didn't know Amanda Gorman before this year, you'll definitely know her now, thanks to her reading at US President Joe Biden's swearing-in ceremony. The United States' first-ever youth poet laureate's powerful, rhythmic poem 'The Hill We Climb' made the world stop and listen, highlighting the many inequalities in our society and reminding us that we need to work together to overcome them.

While 2021 was the year that catapulted Gorman into the spotlight, it wasn't the first time she'd spoken out about the world around her. In her 2018 TED Talk, she discusses the power of speech, learning to find her voice and how 'poetry is actually at the centre of our most political questions about what it means to be a democracy'.

'I had a moment of realisation, where I thought, "If I choose not to speak out of fear, then there's no one that my silence is standing for."'

'When someone asks me to write a poem that's not political, what they're really asking me is to not ask charged and challenging questions in my poetic work. And that does not work, because poetry is always at the pulse of the most dangerous and most daring questions that a nation or a world might face.'

'If I choose, not out of fear, but out of courage, to speak, then there's something unique that my words can become... It might feel like every story has been told before, but the truth is, no one's ever told my story in the way I would tell it.'

Frances McDormand Demands Inclusion In Hollywood

It's one thing to make a great acceptance speech at the Oscars. But to share that honour with your fellow nominees and use it as a platform to highlight where your industry needs to do better? That's a whole other story, and one told by McDormand in a speech that got everybody on their feet as she accepted the Oscar for Best Actress at the 2018 Academy Awards.

'I want to get some perspective. If I may be so honoured to have all the female nominees in every category stand with me in this room tonight, the actors... the filmmakers, the producers, the directors, the writers, the cinematographers, the composers, the songwriters, the designers... We all have stories to tell and projects we need financed. Don't talk to us about it at the parties tonight. Invite us into your office in a couple days, or you can come to ours, whatever suits you best, and we'll tell you all about them. I have two words to leave with you tonight, ladies and gentlemen: "inclusion rider".'

Meghan Markle On Realising The Magnitude Of Individual Action

Long before she made headlines as the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle had already made the world take notice. At the UN Women Conference back in 2015, she spoke about 'accidentally' becoming a female advocate when at just 11 years old, when she convinced a dish soap company to change their sexist tagline from 'Women all over America are fighting greasy pots and pans' to 'People all over America…' instead. Here, she discusses the power of individual action, and why we need to remind women that 'their involvement matters'.

'It is just imperative: women need a seat at the table, they need an invitation to be seated there, and in some cases, where this is not available, well then, you know what, they need to create their own table. We need a global understanding that we cannot implement change effectively without women's political participation.

'It is said that girls with dreams become women with vision. May we empower each other to carry out such vision – because it isn't enough to simply talk about equality. One must believe in it. And it isn't enough to simply believe in it. One must work at it. Let us work at it. Together. Starting now.

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Speech: This is the moment, the opportunity, to finally call time on gender inequality

Opening remarks by UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous at the Generation Equality Midpoint Moment, United Nations Headquarters, New York, 17 September 2023.

Date: Monday, 18 September 2023

[As delivered.]

Welcome on behalf of UN Women, the global convenor of  Generation Equality . Welcome to our  Generation Equality Midpoint Moment .

We meet on the eve of the  SDG Summit , seized by the challenges and the urgent imperatives to accelerate progress.  Our latest research  tells us that at the current rate of progress, more than 340 million women and girls will still live in extreme poverty by 2030, and close to one in four will experience moderate or severe food insecurity.

We need renewed energy, we need renewed commitment, and we need our will to change this trajectory. Generation Equality provides us with this opportunity.

All of us here today are Generation Equality.

We are Generation Equality because we are all feminists.

We are Generation Equality because we know that gender equality and SDG 5 are the greatest of enablers and that the dividends of equality are limitless.

We are Generation Equality because we believe in and model the power of multistakeholder partnerships.

We are Generation Equality because we know that our coalition must stretch from the global to the local and we aspire to connect the energy here in this room with the energy at grass roots level around the world.

We are Generation Equality, and we are at the heart of change.

Fellow feminists,

At this Midpoint Moment we take stock, hold ourselves accountable, grow our movement, and energize ourselves and others, building on the achievements in Mexico City and Paris two years ago. We do so with pride. And our pride is based on evidence.

In just two years, youth, civil society, governments, private sector, and philanthropists have delivered unprecedented action. Collectively, Commitment Makers have already spent almost USD 10 billion on gender equality. Across the world they have already initiated or are implementing 849 policies, 2,306 programmes and 3,649 advocacy initiatives.

This is quite impressive.

In 2022, Compact signatories spent almost USD 1 billion on women, peace and security and humanitarian action, reaching 22.1 million women and girls. We should congratulate ourselves as we challenge ourselves to do more. Commitment Makers have reported a new total of USD 47 billion in financial commitments, with USD 20 billion already secured. And there is much more to come. And we thank you all for that.

Excellencies, partners, colleagues, friends, and fellow feminists,

This is the moment, the opportunity, to finally call time on gender inequality. This is when we say enough to pushback, enough to regression, enough to ongoing failures to invest and act.

We are disruptors. Our commitment is unwavering, the cause we work for, collectively, is undeniable.

I look forward to our time together here today.

And I thank you.

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New york city, 27 february 2020, secretary-general antónio guterres' remarks at the new school: "women and power", antónio guterres.

[Scroll down for French version]

Dear students, dear friends,

It is a great pleasure to be here today. Thank you for honouring me with this degree and through me, the United Nations and our staff around the world.

The New School is a special place. I am an engineer by training and physics has been the biggest intellectual passion of my life. But I reserve my greatest admiration for artists, philosophers, social scientists and those who explain the world and make it more beautiful.

I thank the New School for helping to uplift us and give meaning to our lives. No place is better than the New School for me to explain our view on women and power, and our very strong commitment to gender equality in everything we do.

As a man born in western Europe, I have enjoyed many privileges. But my childhood under a military dictatorship in Portugal opened my eyes to injustice and oppression.

As a student doing volunteer work in the slums of Lisbon, throughout my political career, and as the leader of the United Nations refugee agency, I have always felt compelled to fight against injustice, inequality and the denial of human rights.

Today, as Secretary-General of the United Nations, I see one overwhelming injustice across the globe; an abuse that is crying out for attention. That is gender inequality and discrimination against women and girls.

Everywhere, women are worse off than men, simply because they are women. Migrant and refugee women, those with disabilities, and women members of minorities of all kinds face even greater barriers.

This discrimination harms us all. Just as slavery and colonialism were a stain on previous centuries, women’s inequality should shame us all in the 21st. Because it is not only unacceptable; it is stupid.

Only through the equal participation of women can we benefit from the intelligence, experience and insights of all of humanity. Women’s equal participation is vital to stability, helps prevent conflict, and promotes sustainable, inclusive development.

Gender equality is the prerequisite for a better world.

Dear friends, dear students,

This is not a new issue. Women have been fighting for their rights for centuries.

Five hundred years ago, Queen Nzinga Mbandi of the Mbundu waged war against Portuguese colonial rule in present-day Angola.

Mary Wollstonecraft, who wrote A Vindication of the Rights of Women in 1792, is often seen as the mother of western feminism.

Sixty years later, Sojourner Truth delivered an impassioned plea for women’s rights while she worked to abolish slavery.

The women’s rights movement came of age in the twentieth century.

Women heads of state dispelled any doubts about women’s ability to lead.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights asserted the equal rights of men and women; and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women outlined a vision of gender equality.

Today, young women like Malala Yousafzai and Nadia Murad are breaking barriers and creating new models of leadership.

But despite these advances, the state of women’s rights remains dire. Inequality and discrimination are the norm, everywhere.

Progress has slowed to a standstill – and in some cases, been reversed.

There is a strong and relentless pushback against women’s rights.

Violence against women, including femicide, is at epidemic levels.

More than one in three women will experience violence in some form during her lifetime. Legal protections against rape and domestic violence are being diluted or rolled back in some places.

Rape within marriage continues to be legal in 34 countries.

Women’s sexual and reproductive rights are under threat from different sides.

Women leaders and public figures face harassment, threats and abuse, online and off. The policing of personal freedom and dress are a daily reality for millions of women and girls.

From governments to corporate boards to awards ceremonies, women are still excluded from the top table.

Policies that penalize women, like austerity and coercive reproduction, are back in fashion. Peace negotiations still exclude women, twenty years after all countries pledged to include them. And the digital age could make these inequalities even more entrenched.

Dear friends and dear students,

Gender equality is fundamentally a question of power. We live in a male-dominated world with a male-dominated culture. We have done so for millennia.

The historian Mary Beard has identified the deep historical roots of patriarchy in western culture.

In the Odyssey, written three thousand years ago, Homer describes Telemachus telling his mother, Penelope, to be quiet and to leave the talking to men. Unfortunately, Telemachus would not be out of place in some of my meetings today.

Patriarchy – a social system founded on inheritance through the male line – continues to affect every area of our lives.

We are all – men and women, girls and boys – suffering the consequences. Male-dominated power structures underpin our economies, our political systems and our corporations.

Even Hollywood fame does not protect women from men who wield physical, emotional and professional power over them. I salute those who have courageously spoken up and fought back.

A hidden layer of inequality is built into the institutions and structures that govern all our lives – but are based on the needs of just half the population.

The writer Caroline Criado Perez calls this “default man” thinking: the unquestioned assumption that men are standard, and women the exception.

This has led to the biggest data gap in the world.

Very often, women are not counted, and their experiences don’t count.

The consequences are everywhere, from toilet facilities to bus routes.

Women are at higher risk of being injured in a car accident, because seats and safety belts fit default man.

Women have a higher fatality rate from heart attacks because diagnostic tools are designed around default man.

Default man thinking even extends into space, which is indeed the final frontier – for women. More than 150 men have walked in space, but just a handful of women, particularly because spacesuits are designed for default man. No woman has walked on the moon – although women mathematicians played an essential part in putting men there. At last, we are finally celebrating the achievements of these women, including Katherine Johnson who passed away this week.

All too often, alongside violence, control, male-dominated power structures and hidden discrimination, women and girls contend with centuries of misogyny and the erasure of their achievements.

From the ridiculing of women as hysterical or hormonal, to the routine judgement of women based on their looks; from the myths and taboos that surround women’s natural body functions, to mansplaining and victim-blaming – misogyny has been everywhere.

Conversely, across centuries and cultures, words like “genius” and “brilliant” are used far more often to describe men than women.

Which is less surprising when men have made the rules and banned women from participating in it. The damage done by patriarchy and inequality goes far beyond women and girls.

Men have a gender too.

It is defined so rigidly that it can trap men and boys into stereotypes that involve risky behaviour, physical aggression and an unwillingness to seek advice or support.

As the writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie puts it: “Masculinity is a hard, small cage, and we put boys inside this cage.”

Around the world, men have shorter life spans than women; they are more likely to be in prison and to use and experience violence; and they are less likely to seek help.

We have defined men’s power in ways that come at great cost – to men themselves.

Gender equality has enormous benefits for men’s personal relationships. Men who share caregiving and spend more time with their families are happier, and have happier children.

On a larger scale, transforming the balance of power is essential, not only as a question of human rights, personal development, health and wellbeing.

It is critical to solving some of the most damaging and intractable problems of our age, from deepening inequality and polarization to the climate crisis.

Friends, dear students,

I see five areas in which achieving gender equality can transform our world. First, conflict and violence. There is a straight line between violence against women, civil oppression and conflict.

Trillions of dollars are spent every year on peace and security. But we should be asking: whose peace? Whose security?

Inter-state conflict makes headlines, but in some of the most violent parts of the world, levels of femicide - the killing of women – are comparable to a war zone. 137 women around the world are killed by a member of their own family every day.

Impunity rates are above 95 percent in some countries.

In other words, we have men waging war on women – but no one is calling for a ceasefire or imposing sanctions. And how a society treats the female half of its population is a significant indicator of how it will treat others.

Rape and sexual slavery are routinely used as a tactic of war, and misogyny is part of the ideology of almost all violent extremist groups.

Conversely, involving women leaders and decision-makers in mediation and peace processes leads to more lasting and sustainable peace.

The United Nations is committed to putting women at the centre of our conflict prevention, peacemaking, peacebuilding and mediation efforts – and to increasing the numbers of our women peacekeepers.

Second, the climate crisis.

The existential emergency we are facing is the result of decisions that were taken mainly by men, but have a disproportionate impact on women and girls.

Drought and famine mean women work harder to find food and water, while heatwaves, storms and floods kill more women and girls than men and boys.

Women and girls have long been leaders and activists on the environment, from Wangari Maathai and Jane Goodall to the Fridays for Future movement. But the impact of gender inequality on climate action goes deeper.

Initiatives to reduce and recycle are overwhelmingly marketed at women, while men are more likely to put their faith in untested technological fixes.

There is plenty of evidence that women are more open than men to reducing their personal environmental impact.

And recent studies show that women economists and parliamentarians are more likely to support sustainable, inclusive policies.

There is a risk that safeguarding our planet is seen as “women’s work” – just another domestic chore.

I am grateful to young people, Generation Z, including many of you here in this room, who are working for climate action and gender equality, while recognizing the reality of non-binary identities and solutions.

Macho posturing will not save our planet.

Gender equality, including men stepping up and taking responsibility, is essential if we are to beat the climate emergency.

The third area in which women’s rights and equal opportunities can create a breakthrough is in building inclusive economies. Worldwide, women still earn just 77 cents for every dollar earned by men.

The latest research by the World Economic Forum says it will take until 2255 to close the gender pay gap.

How can I tell my granddaughters that their granddaughters’ granddaughters will still be paid less than a man for the same work?

The gender pay gap is one reason why 70 percent of the world’s poor are women and girls.

Another is that women and girls do some 12 billion hours of unpaid care work around the world every day – three times more than men.

In some communities, women can spend 14 hours a day cooking, cleaning, fetching wood and water and caring for children and the elderly. Economic models classify these hours as “leisure time”.

Gross Domestic Product puts zero value on anything that happens in the home.

But this flawed metric is the baseline for economic decision-making, distorting policies and denying women opportunities. Women who do have an income are more likely than men to invest in their families and communities, strengthening economies and making them more resilient.

Women also tend to take a longer view. Corporate boards that include them are more stable and profitable.

The recent decision by one of the world’s biggest investment banks not to take a company public unless it has a woman board member was not made on moral grounds. It was financial good sense.

Women’s equal economic rights and opportunities are a global imperative if we are to build a fair globalization that works for all.

Fourth, the digital divide.

When a couple complained last year that the man’s credit limit was 20 times higher than his wife’s, despite her higher credit score, the discrepancy was blamed on an algorithm. But with women occupying just 26 per cent of jobs in Artificial Intelligence, it is no surprise that many algorithms are biased towards men.

Digital technology can be an enormous force for good.

But I am deeply concerned by the male domination of technological professions in the universities, start-ups and Silicon Valleys of this world.

These tech hubs are already shaping the economies and societies of the future, with a huge impact on the evolution of power relations.

Unless women play an equal role in designing digital technologies, progress on women’s rights could be reversed. Lack of diversity will not only expand gender inequality.

It will limit the innovation and scope of new technologies, making them less useful for everyone.

Fifth and finally, political representation.

Women’s participation in parliaments around the world has doubled in the last 25 years – to one quarter. Fewer than one-tenth of states are led by a woman.

But women’s representation in government is not about stereotypical “women’s issues” like opposing sexual harassment or promoting childcare.

Women in government drive social progress and meaningful changes to people’s lives.

Women are more likely to advocate for investment in education and health; and to seek cross-party consensus and common ground.

When the numbers of women reach a critical mass, governments are more likely to innovate, and to challenge established orthodoxies. In other words, women in politics are redefining and redistributing power.

It is no coincidence that the governments that are redefining GDP to include wellbeing and sustainability are led by women. It is simple math.

Women’s participation improves institutions.

Doubling the resources, capacity and expertise we put into decision-making benefits everyone.

One of my first priorities as Secretary-General of the United Nations was to bring more women into leadership positions. On 1st January this year, we achieved gender parity – 90 women and 90 men – in the ranks of full-time senior leadership, two years ahead of the target date I set at the start of my tenure.

We have a roadmap in place to achieve parity at all levels in the years ahead. This long-overdue change is an essential recognition of the equal rights and abilities of women staff.

It is also about improving our efficiency and effectiveness for the people we serve. Dear students, dear friends, The opportunity of man-made problems – and I choose these words deliberately – is that they have human-led solutions.

Thriving matriarchal societies throughout history and around the world show that patriarchy is not inevitable. We have recently seen women, many of them young, demanding transformational change. 

From Sudan to Chile to Lebanon, they are calling for freedom from violence, greater representation and urgent climate action, and questioning economic systems that fail to deliver opportunities and fulfilment for many.

We owe these young leaders our voices and our support. Gender equality is part of the DNA of the United Nations. The equal rights of women and men are included in the Charter – our founding document.

As we mark our 75th anniversary this year, along with the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Conference on Women, we are redoubling our efforts to support women’s rights across the board.

Last month, the United Nations launched a Decade of Action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals – the blueprint for our partnership with governments to build peaceful, prosperous and inclusive societies on a healthy planet.

Gender equality is a goal in itself, and key to achieving the other 16 goals.

The Decade of Action is aimed at transforming institutions and structures, broadening inclusion and driving sustainability. Repealing laws that discriminate against women and girls; increasing protection against violence; closing the gap in girls’ education and digital technology; guaranteeing full access to sexual and reproductive health services and rights; and ending the gender pay gap are just some of the areas we are targeting.

Women’s equal leadership and participation are fundamental. That is why in the past, I always supported quotas – the most effective way to achieve a radical shift in the balance of power. Now is the time for gender parity in governments, parliaments, corporate boards and institutions everywhere.

Over the next two years, I intend to deepen my personal commitment to highlighting and supporting gender equality in all areas of our work.

I will contact governments that have discriminatory laws on their books to advocate for change and offer our support; and urge each new government to achieve gender parity in senior leadership.

I will explore ways to maximize the influence of the United Nations to make sure women have equal representation in peace processes; and strengthen our work on the links between violence against women and international peace and security.

I will continue to meet women whose lives have been affected by violence. I will also advocate for GDP to include measures of well-being and sustainability and for unpaid domestic work to be given its true value.

I am committed to ending “default male” thinking across the United Nations. We are a data-driven organization; it is essential that our data does not make the ridiculous assumption that men are the norm and women are the exception.

We need women’s voices and contributions at the forefront in peace negotiations and trade talks; at the Oscars and the G20; in board rooms and classrooms; and at the United Nations General Assembly.

Gender equality is a question of power; power that has been jealously guarded by men for millennia.

It is about an abuse of power that is damaging our communities, our economies, our environment, our relationships and our health.

We must urgently transform and redistribute power, if we are to safeguard our future and our planet.

That is why all men should support women’s rights and gender equality. And why I am a proud feminist.

Women have equaled and outperformed men in almost every sphere. It is time to stop trying to change women, and start changing the systems that prevent them from achieving their potential.

Our power structures have evolved gradually over thousands of years. One further evolution is long overdue. The 21st century must be the century of women’s equality. Let us all play our part in making it so.

************************************************************************************ [French version]

Monsieur Van Zandt, Monsieur Aleinikoff, Madame Chang, Chères étudiantes, chers étudiants, chers amis, 

C’est un grand plaisir pour moi que d’être ici aujourd’hui. Je vous remercie de l’honneur que vous me faites et à travers moi, à l’Organisation des Nations Unies et à notre personnel dans le monde entier en me nommant docteur honoris causa. La New School est un lieu spécial. Je suis ingénieur de formation et la physique est la grande passion intellectuelle de ma vie. Mais les personnes pour lesquelles j’éprouve le plus d’admiration sont les artistes, les philosophes, les spécialistes des sciences sociales et toutes celles et tous ceux qui expliquent le monde et le rendent plus beau.

La New School contribue à nous élever et à donner un sens à notre vie, et je lui en suis reconnaissant.

Chères étudiantes et chers étudiants, chers amis,

Je suis un homme né en Europe occidentale. À ce titre, j'ai bénéficié de nombreux privilèges. Mais mon enfance passée sous la dictature militaire au Portugal m'a ouvert les yeux sur l'injustice et l'oppression. Déjà quand j’étais étudiant et que je travaillais bénévolement dans les taudis de Lisbonne, puis tout au long de ma carrière politique de Premier Ministre et de Haut-Commissaire des Nations Unies pour les réfugiés, je me suis toujours senti tenu de lutter contre l’injustice, l'inégalité et le déni des droits humains.

Aujourd’hui Secrétaire général de l’Organisation des Nations Unies, je constate l’omniprésence d’une certaine injustice dans le monde entier, d’un préjudice qui réclame toute notre attention : les inégalités de genre et la discrimination envers les femmes et les filles.

Partout, les femmes sont moins bien loties que les hommes, pour la simple et bonne raison qu’elles sont des femmes.

Les migrantes et les réfugiées, les femmes handicapées et celles qui appartiennent à des minorités se heurtent à des obstacles encore plus importants.

Cette discrimination nous fait du tort, à toutes et à tous.

De même que l’esclavage et le colonialisme ont entaché les siècles passés, l’inégalité que subissent les femmes au XXIe siècle devrait faire honte à chacune et à chacun d’entre nous.

Pas seulement parce qu’elle est inacceptable, mais parce qu’elle est absurde. 

Renoncer à l’égale participation des femmes et des hommes, c’est renoncer à l’intelligence, à l’expérience et aux connaissances de la moitié de l’humanité.

La rendre possible, c’est la clef de la stabilité. C’est favoriser la prévention des conflits et ouvrir la voie au développement durable et inclusif.

L’égalité des genres est la condition sine qua non d’un monde meilleur.

Mesdames et Messieurs, chères étudiantes et chers étudiants,

Il ne s’agit pas d’un sujet nouveau. Voilà des siècles que les femmes luttent pour leurs droits.

Il y a 500 ans, Nzinga Mbandi, reine des Mbundu, a mené une guerre contre la domination coloniale portugaise dans l’actuel Angola.

Mary Wollstonecraft, qui a écrit Défense des droits de la femme en 1792, est souvent considérée comme la mère du féminisme occidental.

Soixante ans plus tard, Sojourner Truth a plaidé avec passion pour les droits des femmes tout en œuvrant pour l’abolition de l’esclavage.

Le mouvement pour les droits des femmes est arrivé à maturité au XXe siècle. Les femmes chefs d’État n’ont laissé subsister aucun doute quant à la capacité des femmes à diriger. La Déclaration universelle des droits de l’homme a consacré l’égalité des droits entre les femmes et les hommes, tandis que la Convention sur l’élimination de toutes les formes de discrimination à l’égard des femmes a esquissé une manière de concevoir l’égalité des genres. 

Aujourd’hui, des jeunes femmes comme Malala Yousafzai et Nadia Murad font tomber les barrières et créent des modèles de leadership inédits. 

Malgré ces avancées, la situation des droits des femmes reste désastreuse.

Partout, l’inégalité et la discrimination sont la norme.

Nos progrès sont au point mort. Dans certains cas, nous faisons marche arrière.

La réalisation des droits des femmes est entravée par des forces de réaction puissantes et obstinées.

La violence faite aux femmes, en particulier les féminicides, atteint des proportions épidémiques. Plus d’une femme sur trois subira des violences d’une forme ou d’une autre au cours de sa vie.

Les protections juridiques contre le viol et la violence domestique sont en train d’être assouplies ou revues à la baisse. Le viol conjugal demeure légal dans 34 pays. Les droits des femmes en matière de sexualité et de procréation sont menacés de toutes parts.

Les dirigeantes et les personnalités publiques qui sont des femmes subissent harcèlement, menaces et agressions, sur Internet aussi bien qu’ailleurs.

Pour des millions de femmes et de filles, le contrôle de la liberté individuelle et de la tenue vestimentaire est une réalité quotidienne.

Des gouvernements aux conseils d’administration, en passant par les cérémonies de remise de prix, les femmes restent exclues des places de choix.

Elles sont pénalisées par de nouvelles politiques, qui vont des mesures d’austérité jusqu’aux politiques répressives en matière de reproduction.

Les femmes sont toujours tenues à l’écart des négociations de paix et ce, 20 ans après que tous les pays se sont engagés à les y associer.

Et à l’ère du numérique, ces inégalités risquent de s’enraciner encore plus profondément.

Mesdames et Messieurs,

L’égalité des genres est, fondamentalement, une question de pouvoir.

Notre monde et notre culture sont dominés par les hommes. C’est le cas depuis des millénaires.

L’historienne Mary Beard a mis en évidence les racines historiques profondes du patriarcat dans la culture occidentale.

Dans l’Odyssée, composée par Homère il y a trois mille ans, Télémaque demande à sa mère, Pénélope, de se taire et de laisser les hommes parler.

Malheureusement, l’attitude de Télémaque ne détonnerait pas dans certaines de mes réunions avec des dirigeants mondiaux.

Le patriarcat, système social fondé sur la succession par voie patrilinéaire, reste présent dans toutes les facettes de notre vie. Nous en subissons toutes et tous les conséquences, les hommes comme les femmes, les filles comme les garçons.

Tout comme nos grandes entreprises, nos systèmes économiques et politiques sont bâtis sur des structures de pouvoir dominées par les hommes.

Même lorsqu’elles connaissent la célébrité à Hollywood, les femmes ne sont pas protégées des hommes qui exercent sur elles une domination physique, affective et professionnelle. Je salue celles qui ont courageusement fait entendre leur voix et se sont défendues.

Une inégalité d’un autre type se dissimule dans les institutions et les structures qui gouvernent nos existences, mais qui sont conçues pour répondre aux besoins d’une moitié seulement de la population.

L’auteure Caroline Criado Perez décrit cette inégalité à l’aide de la notion de « l’homme par défaut ». Elle entend par là la tendance jamais remise en cause à considérer les hommes comme la norme et les femmes, comme une anomalie.

Cela est à l’origine de la plus grande lacune dans les données mondiales. Bien souvent, les femmes ne sont pas prises en compte et leur expérience ne compte pas.

On en voit les conséquences partout, des installations sanitaires aux lignes d’autobus. En cas d’accident de voiture, les femmes courent un plus grand risque d’être blessées, car les sièges et les ceintures de sécurité sont conçus pour « l’homme par défaut ». En cas de crise cardiaque, leur taux de létalité est plus élevé parce que les outils de diagnostic ont également été élaborés pour « l’homme par défaut ».

Ce constat s’étend même à l’exploration spatiale, qui est bel et bien la frontière ultime – pour les femmes. Plus de 150 hommes sont allés dans l’espace, contre seulement une poignée de femmes, en partie parce que les combinaisons spatiales sont conçues pour « l’homme par défaut ». Aucune femme n’a marché sur la Lune, bien que des mathématiciennes aient joué un rôle essentiel pour permettre à des hommes d’y parvenir.

Nous rendons enfin hommage aujourd’hui aux accomplissements de ces femmes, notamment à ceux de Katherine Johnson, qui nous a quittés cette semaine.

En plus de la violence, de la domination, des structures de pouvoir iniques et de la discrimination cachée, les femmes et les filles pâtissent trop souvent de la négation de leurs réalisations, résultat de plusieurs siècles de misogynie.

On les accuse d’être hystériques ou instables. On les juge constamment sur leur apparence. On ne cesse d’inventer des mythes et des tabous concernant leurs fonctions corporelles naturelles. S’ajoute encore à tout cela la tendance à jeter le blâme sur les victimes et la manie qu’ont les hommes de vouloir tout expliquer aux femmes : la misogynie est omniprésente.

À l’inverse, à travers les siècles et les cultures, des mots comme « génie » ou « brillant » s’emploient beaucoup plus souvent pour qualifier des hommes que des femmes.

Cela n’est guère surprenant, quand on sait que ce sont les hommes qui ont établi les règles, en excluant les femmes.

Mais les dégâts causés par le patriarcat et l’inégalité sont loin de se limiter aux femmes et aux filles.

Les hommes et les garçons ont eux aussi un genre. Celui-ci est défini de manière si restrictive qu’il peut les enfermer dans des stéréotypes qui se caractérisent par des comportements à risque, des agressions physiques et une réticence à demander des conseils ou de l’aide.

Comme l’a dit l’écrivaine Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, la masculinité est une cage petite et rigide dans laquelle nous mettons les garçons.

Partout dans le monde, les hommes ont une espérance de vie plus courte que les femmes, ils sont plus susceptibles d’être incarcérés, d’employer et de connaître la violence, et ils sont moins enclins à chercher de l’aide.

Le pouvoir des hommes a un prix et ce prix est élevé, même pour les hommes. 

L’égalité des genres présente un grand intérêt pour les relations personnelles des hommes. Les hommes qui prennent part aux tâches familiales et qui passent plus de temps avec leur famille sont plus heureux – et leurs enfants aussi.

À plus grande échelle, il est essentiel de transformer les rapports de force, et cela, pas seulement dans la perspective des droits humains, du développement personnel, de la santé et du bien-être.

C’est également indispensable pour régler certains des problèmes les plus graves et les plus difficiles à surmonter de notre temps, de l’aggravation des inégalités et des clivages jusqu’à la crise climatique.

Mesdames et messieurs, chères étudiantes et chers étudiants,

Pour moi, il y a cinq domaines où l’égalité des genres est vouée à transformer notre monde.

Premièrement, le conflit et la violence. 

Conflits, violence contre les femmes et oppression des civils sont directement liés.

Chaque année, des milliards de dollars sont consacrés à la promotion de la paix et de la sécurité. Mais la paix de qui ? La sécurité de qui ?

Pendant que les conflits entre États font les gros titres, certaines régions connaissent des taux de féminicide comparables à la mortalité constatée dans les zones de guerre. À l’échelle mondiale, 137 femmes sont tuées chaque jour par un membre de leur famille. Dans certains pays, plus de 95 % des meurtres de femmes restent impunis.

En d’autres termes, il y a des hommes qui font la guerre aux femmes. Mais personne ne réclame un cessez-le-feu ou n’impose de sanctions.

La façon dont une société traite la moitié féminine de sa population est révélatrice de la façon dont elle traite les autres sociétés.

Le viol et l’esclavage sexuel servent couramment de tactique de guerre, et la misogynie fait partie de l’idéologie de presque tous les groupes extrémistes violents.

Inversement, la participation de dirigeantes et de décideuses aux processus de médiation et de paix conduit à une paix plus durable, plus pérenne.

L’ONU s’emploie à placer les femmes au centre de son action de prévention des conflits, de rétablissement de la paix, de consolidation de la paix et de médiation – et à augmenter le nombre de femmes affectées au maintien de la paix.

Deuxièmement, la crise climatique.

La menace pressante qui pèse sur notre existence est la conséquence de décisions qui ont été prises pour l’essentiel par des hommes, mais qui touchent tout particulièrement les femmes et les filles.

La sécheresse et la famine font que les femmes travaillent plus dur pour trouver de la nourriture et de l’eau, tandis que les vagues de chaleur, les tempêtes et les inondations tuent plus de femmes et de filles que d’hommes et de garçons.

Voilà longtemps que les femmes jouent un rôle de premier plan dans la lutte pour l’environnement : que l’on pense à Wangari Maathai, à Jane Goodall ou encore au mouvement Fridays for Future.

Mais les inégalités de genre ont des répercussions bien plus profondes sur l’action climatique.

Les campagnes en faveur du recyclage et de la réduction des déchets ciblent avant tout les femmes, tandis que les hommes paraissent plus enclins à faire confiance à des solutions technologiques qui n’ont jamais été testées.

Tout indique que les femmes sont plus disposées que les hommes à réduire leur propre impact environnemental.

Récemment, des études ont fait ressortir que parmi les économistes et les parlementaires, les femmes étaient plus susceptibles de soutenir des politiques durables et inclusives.

La sauvegarde de la planète risque d’être considérée comme un « travail de femme ». Autrement dit, comme une tâche ménagère parmi d’autres. 

Je suis reconnaissant aux jeunes, celles et ceux de la génération Z, à laquelle appartiennent nombre d’entre vous, qui œuvrent en faveur de l’action climatique et de l’égalité femmes-hommes sans perdre de vue la réalité des identités et des solutions non binaires.

Les postures machistes ne nous permettront pas de sauver notre planète.

Sans égalité des genres, il sera impossible de répondre à l’urgence climatique. Cela signifie aussi que les hommes doivent agir et prendre leurs responsabilités.

Chères étudiantes, chers étudiants, chers amis,

Le troisième domaine où les droits des femmes et l’égalité des chances pourraient nous permettre de faire un grand pas en avant, c’est l’édification d’économies inclusives.

En moyenne dans le monde, quand un homme gagne 1 dollar, une femme ne touche que 77 cents. Selon les dernières recherches du Forum économique mondial, cet écart de rémunération ne sera pas comblé avant 2255. 

Comment expliquer à mes petites-filles que les petites-filles de leurs petites-filles seront toujours moins bien payées que les hommes, pour faire le même travail ?

L’écart de rémunération est l’une des raisons pour lesquelles 70 % des pauvres dans le monde sont des femmes et des filles.

Une autre raison est que, à l’échelle mondiale, les femmes et les filles effectuent chaque jour quelque 12 milliards d’heures de tâches familiales non rémunérées, soit trois fois plus que les hommes. 

Dans certains endroits, les femmes passent jusqu’à 14 heures par jour à cuisiner, à nettoyer, à chercher du bois et de l’eau et à s’occuper des enfants et des personnes âgées.

D’après les modèles économiques, ce travail relève du « temps libre ».

À l’aune du produit intérieur brut, rien de ce qui se passe à la maison n’a de valeur. Cette mesure erronée sert pourtant de base aux décisions économiques, ce qui fausse les politiques et prive les femmes de possibilités.

Les femmes qui ont des revenus sont plus susceptibles que les hommes d’investir dans leur famille et leur communauté, ce qui renforce l’économie et la rend plus résiliente.

Les femmes ont également tendance à envisager les choses à plus long terme. Les entreprises sont plus stables et plus rentables quand des femmes siègent au conseil d’administration.

Récemment, l’une des plus grandes banques d’investissement au monde a décidé de ne pas introduire en bourse les sociétés qui ne comptent pas de femme parmi les membres de leur conseil d’administration. Ses motivations n’étaient pas d’ordre moral, mais financier. C’était tout simplement du bon sens.

Si nous voulons une mondialisation équitable qui profite à tous, l’égalité des droits et des chances économiques doit devenir réalité dans le monde entier.

Quatrièmement, le fossé numérique.

Lorsqu’un couple s’est plaint l’année dernière que la limite de crédit de monsieur était 20 fois supérieure à celle de madame bien que la cote de crédit de celle-ci fût meilleure, l’anomalie a été imputée à un algorithme.

Sachant que les femmes n’occupent que 26 % des emplois dans le secteur de l’intelligence artificielle, il n’est guère surprenant que de nombreux algorithmes soient biaisés en faveur des hommes.

La technologie numérique peut être une grande source de bienfaits. Mais je suis profondément préoccupé par le fait que ce sont les hommes qui occupent la plupart des emplois dans le secteur de la technologie, que ce soit dans les universités, dans les start-ups ou encore dans les Silicon Valleys du monde entier.

Ces pôles technologiques façonnent déjà les économies et les sociétés du futur, ce qui a des répercussions considérables sur l’évolution des rapports de force.

Si les femmes ne participent pas au même titre que les hommes à la conception des technologies numériques, les avancées obtenues en matière de droits des femmes pourraient bien être remises en question.

Non seulement le manque de diversité accentuera les inégalités de genre, mais il limitera l’innovation et la portée des nouvelles technologies, et les rendra moins utiles.

Cinquièmement et dernièrement, la représentation politique.

La part des femmes qui siègent au parlement dans le monde entier a doublé au cours des 25 dernières années et atteint désormais un quart. Moins d’un État sur 10 est dirigé par une femme.

Mais la représentation des femmes dans les instances de l’État n’a rien à voir avec les questions dites féminines, comme l’opposition au harcèlement sexuel ou la promotion des services de garde d’enfants. Les femmes au pouvoir sont les moteurs du progrès social et font véritablement changer la vie des gens.

Les femmes sont plus enclines à faire campagne pour l’investissement dans l’éducation et la santé, et à rechercher le consensus et un terrain d’entente entre les partis.

Plus les gouvernements comptent de femmes, plus ils innovent et remettent en question l’ordre établi.

Autrement dit, les femmes en politique réinventent et redistribuent le pouvoir.

Ce n’est pas un hasard si les États qui redéfinissent le PIB en prenant en considération le bien-être et la durabilité sont dirigés par des femmes.

C’est bien simple : la participation des femmes améliore les institutions.

Quand on multiplie par deux les ressources, les capacités et les compétences mises au service de la prise de décisions, tout le monde y gagne.

L’une de mes priorités en tant que Secrétaire général de l’Organisation des Nations Unies a été de faire en sorte que plus de femmes occupent des postes de direction. Le 1er janvier 2020, nous sommes parvenus à la parité femmes-hommes – 90 femmes et 90 hommes – aux postes de plus haut rang occupés à temps plein, deux ans avant la date que j’avais fixée au début de mon mandat. Et nous avons un plan d’action pour arriver à la parité à tous les niveaux dans les années à venir.

Ce changement tant attendu est une reconnaissance essentielle de l’égalité des droits et des aptitudes des femmes qui travaillent pour l’Organisation. Il s’agit aussi pour nous d’être plus efficaces et plus utiles pour toutes celles et tous ceux que nous servons.

Les problèmes qui ont été créés par l’homme – je dis bien par l’homme – ne pourront être réglés que par l’humanité tout entière.

Les sociétés matriarcales qui ont fleuri à travers l’histoire et prospèrent dans le monde entier montrent que le patriarcat n’est pas inévitable.

Nous avons récemment entendu des femmes, dont beaucoup de jeunes, exiger un changement radical.

Du Soudan au Chili en passant par le Liban, elles réclament la fin de la violence, une meilleure représentation et une action immédiate en faveur du climat, et elles remettent en question les systèmes économiques qui n’offrent ni débouchés ni satisfaction pour le plus grand nombre.

Nous devons faire entendre notre voix pour ces jeunes dirigeantes, nous leur devons notre soutien.

L’égalité des genres fait partie de l’ADN de l’ONU. L’égalité des droits des femmes et des hommes est inscrite dans la Charte, notre texte fondateur. Alors que nous célébrons cette année le 75e anniversaire de l’Organisation et le 25e anniversaire de la Conférence de Beijing sur les femmes, nous redoublons d’efforts pour soutenir les droits des femmes dans tous les domaines.

Le mois dernier, l’ONU a lancé la Décennie d’action en faveur des objectifs de développement durable, un modèle de partenariat avec les États pour l’édification de sociétés pacifiques, prospères et inclusives sur une planète en bonne santé.

L’égalité des genres est un objectif à part entière, et elle est indispensable pour atteindre les 16 autres.

La Décennie d’action vise à transformer les institutions et les structures, à aller plus loin dans l’inclusion et à favoriser la durabilité.

Abroger les lois discriminatoires envers les femmes et les filles, améliorer la protection contre la violence, combler les écarts en matière d’éducation, de rémunération et de technologies numériques : voilà quelques-uns des domaines dans lesquels nous œuvrons.

Il est fondamental que les femmes dirigent et participent, à égalité avec les hommes.

C’est pourquoi, par le passé, j’ai été favorable aux quotas : c’est le meilleur moyen de parvenir à un changement radical dans l’équilibre des forces. L’heure est à la parité dans les gouvernements, les parlements, les conseils d’administration et les institutions, partout dans le monde. 

Au cours des deux prochaines années, j’ai l’intention de m’engager plus encore, personnellement, en faveur de l’égalité des genres dans tous les domaines de notre travail.

Je prendrai contact avec les gouvernements qui ont des lois discriminatoires pour plaider en faveur du changement et offrir notre soutien et j’exhorterai tout nouveau gouvernement à parvenir à la parité femmes-hommes aux postes de direction.

J’étudierai les moyens d’accroître au maximum l’influence de l’ONU pour faire en sorte que les femmes soient représentées, à égalité, dans les processus de paix ; je renforcerai notre travail sur les liens entre violence contre les femmes et paix et sécurité internationales. Je continuerai à rencontrer des femmes dont la vie a été marquée par la violence.

Je plaiderai en faveur de la prise en compte du bien-être et de la durabilité dans le PIB, ainsi que de la reconnaissance de la valeur réelle du travail domestique.

Je m’engage à faire en sorte que l’homme ne soit plus la référence par défaut à l’ONU. Le travail de l’Organisation repose sur les données ; il faut absolument cesser de fonder les chiffres sur le principe ridicule selon lequel l’homme serait la norme et la femme, l’exception.

Nous avons besoin que les femmes fassent entendre leur voix et qu’elles jouent un rôle de premier plan dans les pourparlers de paix comme dans les négociations commerciales ; aux Oscars comme au G20 ; dans les conseils d’administration comme dans les salles de classe ; et à l’Assemblée générale des Nations Unies.

Mesdames et Messieurs, Chères étudiantes, chers étudiants, chers amis,

L’égalité des genres est une question de pouvoir. C’est la question du pouvoir jalousement gardé par les hommes depuis des millénaires.

Nous sommes face à un abus de pouvoir qui porte préjudice à nos communautés, à nos économies, à notre environnement, à nos relations et à notre santé.

Nous devons de toute urgence transformer et redistribuer le pouvoir si nous voulons préserver notre avenir et notre planète.

C’est pourquoi tous les hommes devraient soutenir les droits des femmes et l’égalité des genres.

Et c’est pourquoi je suis fier d’être féministe.

Les femmes ont égalé et surpassé les hommes dans presque tous les domaines. 

Le moment est venu d’arrêter de vouloir changer les femmes et de commencer à changer les systèmes qui les empêchent de réaliser leur potentiel.

Nos structures de pouvoir évoluent progressivement depuis des millénaires. Une autre évolution se fait attendre depuis trop longtemps.

Le XXIe siècle doit être le siècle de l’égalité femmes-hommes.

Chacun a un rôle à jouer pour qu’il en soit ainsi.

Je vous remercie.

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Speech: this is the moment, the opportunity, to finally call time on gender inequality.

Opening remarks by UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous at the Generation Equality Midpoint Moment, United Nations Headquarters, New York, 17 September 2023.

[As delivered.]

Welcome on behalf of UN Women, the global convenor of Generation Equality . Welcome to our Generation Equality Midpoint Moment .

We meet on the eve of the SDG Summit , seized by the challenges and the urgent imperatives to accelerate progress. Our latest research tells us that at the current rate of progress, more than 340 million women and girls will still live in extreme poverty by 2030, and close to one in four will experience moderate or severe food insecurity.

We need renewed energy, we need renewed commitment, and we need our will to change this trajectory. Generation Equality provides us with this opportunity.

All of us here today are Generation Equality.

We are Generation Equality because we are all feminists.

We are Generation Equality because we know that gender equality and SDG 5 are the greatest of enablers and that the dividends of equality are limitless.

We are Generation Equality because we believe in and model the power of multistakeholder partnerships.

We are Generation Equality because we know that our coalition must stretch from the global to the local and we aspire to connect the energy here in this room with the energy at grass roots level around the world.

We are Generation Equality, and we are at the heart of change.

Fellow feminists,

At this Midpoint Moment we take stock, hold ourselves accountable, grow our movement, and energize ourselves and others, building on the achievements in Mexico City and Paris two years ago. We do so with pride. And our pride is based on evidence.

In just two years, youth, civil society, governments, private sector, and philanthropists have delivered unprecedented action. Collectively, Commitment Makers have already spent almost USD 10 billion on gender equality. Across the world they have already initiated or are implementing 849 policies, 2,306 programmes and 3,649 advocacy initiatives.

This is quite impressive.

In 2022, Compact signatories spent almost USD 1 billion on women, peace and security and humanitarian action, reaching 22.1 million women and girls. We should congratulate ourselves as we challenge ourselves to do more. Commitment Makers have reported a new total of USD 47 billion in financial commitments, with USD 20 billion already secured. And there is much more to come. And we thank you all for that.

Excellencies, partners, colleagues, friends, and fellow feminists,

This is the moment, the opportunity, to finally call time on gender inequality. This is when we say enough to pushback, enough to regression, enough to ongoing failures to invest and act.

We are disruptors. Our commitment is unwavering, the cause we work for, collectively, is undeniable.

I look forward to our time together here today.

And I thank you.

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Ms. Global: Paris Olympics Near Gender Parity, Afghan Women Banned from Third Doha Conference, and More

The U.S. ranks as the 19th most dangerous country for women, 11th in maternal mortality, 30th in closing the gender pay gap, 75th in women’s political representation, and painfully lacks paid family leave and equal access to health care. But Ms. has always understood: Feminist movements around the world hold answers to some of the U.S.’s most intractable problems. Ms. Global is taking note of feminists worldwide.

Olympics Roundup

+ Paris Olympics first to achieve near-gender parity

The 2024 Paris Olympics will see an almost equal split of male and female athletes. From July 26 July to Aug 11, Paris will host 5630 male and 5416 female competitors.

This near parity fulfills the International Olympic Committee (IOC)’s Olympic Agenda 2020, aiming for a 50:50 gender balance, and increasing mixed team events—which feature men and women competing together—to about 20 out of 329.

With women making up 49 percent of participants, this milestone highlights strides in gender equality in sports. The IOC’s move comes amid rising popularity in women’s sports and efforts to counter sexist media and support athlete parents.

Still, activists and academics note lingering inequalities, from the scarcity of female coaches to outdated attitudes on women’s athletic uniforms at the games.

+ Women’s representation in leadership and coaching remain low

Women athletes are nearing gender parity on the field, but their representation in leadership and coaching remains low.

The 1996 Olympic Charter committed to promoting women at all levels of sports structures, particularly in executive bodies, to ensure strict gender equality.

However, the Olympic Agenda 2020 did not address parity on the executive board. If it had, the 11th recommendation would be unfulfilled, as the IOC board has 11 men and only 5 women, falling short of true gender balance.

Moreover, at the Tokyo Olympics, only 13 percent of coaches were women. For the Paris Olympics, that figure is estimated to rise to 25 percent—still disappointingly low—according to The Guardian.

“If you look at women in coaching… you’re going to see a small percentage compared to men being in that role because since sports have started, it’s been a men’s play until women have had to start showing we can do great things as coaches and athletes… and we’re starting to see that shift,” Mechelle Lewis Freeman, former Olympian and head women’s relay coach for the USA’s Track and Field Team,  told CNN .

+ Women’s bodies remain policed

France’s secular laws prohibit Muslim athletes from wearing hijabs during competition in Paris. This decision has drawn criticism from human rights organizations, who argue that it violates Olympic values and human rights. Athletes affected by this rule have said that they feel it forces them to choose between their faith and their passion for sports.

Human rights organizations are urging the IOC to demand that French sporting authorities lift hijab bans for the Olympics and all levels of sports. They report that these restrictions currently affect at least six different sports.

“The country’s discrimination against women and girls wearing the hijab is particularly concerning given the IOC’s celebration of Paris 2024 as the first ‘ Gender Equal Olympics ,'” the groups, including Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and the World Players Association, wrote in a joint letter to the IOC.

“Women and girls in France who wear the hijab have been and are being prevented from playing multiple sports, including football, basketball, judo, boxing, volleyball and badminton — even at youth and amateur levels. The hijab bans in sports have resulted in many Muslim athletes being discriminated against, invisibilized, excluded and humiliated, causing trauma and social isolation – some have left or are considering leaving the country to seek playing opportunities elsewhere,” the letter stated.

Days before the start of the 2024 Olympic Games, French sprinter Sounkamba Sylla revealed on social media that she would be barred from participating in the opening ceremony due to her hijab. French Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra later announced that Sylla would be permitted to take part by covering her hair in a non-religious manner, according to ABC News . However, many see this solution as a superficial fix to a deeper issue.

Afghanistan

+ No Afghan women were included in the UN Conference in Doha at the request of the Taliban

On June 30, UN leaders met for their third conference in Doha, with the Taliban in attendance for the first time. In order for them to be present, the Taliban demanded that no Afghan women be allowed in the conference. 

Abiding by the Taliban’s requests, there were no women in Doha III. Undersecretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo said “the [meeting] is an initial engagement aimed at initiating a step-by-step process with the goal of seeing the Taliban “at peace with itself and its neighbors and adhering to international law,” the U.N. Charter, and human rights,” according to the Associated Press .

Leaders around the world voiced their protest against the UN’s decision in an open letter that urges for Afghan Women’s participation and inclusion in any discussions about Afghanistan’s future.

“The issue of inclusive governance, women’s rights, human rights writ large, will be a part of every single session,” DiCarlo told the AP . “This is important, and we will hear it again and again, I’m sure from quite a number of us.”

This conference comes after a new report by Richard Bennett, the Special Rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, concluding that the intolerance and discrimination against women and girls could be considered gender apartheid. 

+ Reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian wins run-off election

On July 30, President Masoud Pezeshkian was sworn into office as Iran’s ninth president. During his speech, he guaranteed that he would remove the economic sanctions imposed by the west and will answer to the electorate’s request for change. 

President Pezeshkian was the sole candidate to openly oppose the hijab enforcement laws which threaten women’s safety and participation in public life. Still, reports indicated that the women who did not comply with the hijab dress codes were prevented from voting in the election. Many of President Pezeshkian’s supporters hope that he will push for women’s rights. 

Calling for “ cooperation, empathy and trust ,” President Pezeshkian did not pledge any extreme modification to Iran’s Shiite theocracy but promised to improve relations with the west , resulting in reduced inflation and economic growth for Iran. 

“I will not stop trying to remove the oppressive sanctions,” President Pezeshkian said . “I am optimistic about the future.”

+ Bilan Media wins Global Freedom of Expression Award 

Somalia’s only all-women media team won the 2024 One World Media Press Freedom Award, becoming the first Somali news team to be presented with this award. The award honors exceptional journalism by independent media organizations based in the Global South. 

Bilan won for “ their courage in challenging taboos and bringing new stories to light in one of the most dangerous palaces to be a journalist .”

“We are delighted to have our work recognized in this way,” Bilan’s Chief Editor, Hinda Abdi Mohamud, told UNDP . “We hope that having an all-women news team winning an award like this will change attitudes in Somalia and open up more opportunities for women in the media and professional jobs.”

Shukri from Bilan Media shines bright as the only female photographer at last night’s Miss Somalia beauty pageant in Mogadishu 📸 @photography @MisssomaliaLtd pic.twitter.com/Srdu3yzW32 — Bilan Media (@MediaBilan) July 15, 2024

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Independence Day 2024 Speech Ideas

• Start with a compelling quote, a poignant story, or a powerful statement about independence to capture your audience’s attention.
• Briefly recount key moments and figures in your country's struggle for independence, emphasizing their impact and relevance today.
• Focus on the progress and accomplishments your country has made since gaining independence. Highlight achievements in various fields like science, culture, and social progress.
• Address current challenges and issues, and discuss how your country is working to overcome them. This adds depth and shows a realistic view of progress.
• Share your personal thoughts and feelings about what independence means to you and how it impacts your daily life. This adds a personal touch and helps connect with your audience.
• Encourage unity, patriotism, and collective effort among citizens. Use motivational language to inspire your audience to contribute positively to their country’s future.
• End your speech with a strong call to action or a hopeful vision for the future. This could be a call for continued dedication, civic engagement, or a commitment to addressing current challenges.

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India’s gender Budget swelled by 37 per cent, yet it accounts for a mere 4-6 per cent of the total

To unlock women’s potential, india must embed gender-responsive budgeting across all ministries, tackling barriers in education, healthcare, and jobs..

Published : Aug 01, 2024 18:07 IST - 6 MINS READ

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Local village women working at a factory in Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh in September 2018. Women face deep-rooted and multifaceted systemic inequities and dismantling them requires robust and sustained investments across sectors. | Photo Credit: AKHILESH KUMAR

In her 2023-24 Budget speech, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman emphasised  nari-shakti,  or “women’s potential”, and stated that facilitating inclusive, women-led development was the government’s priority. This was also reflected in India’s G20 commitments during its G20 presidency last year.

This year’s Union Budget also shows the government’s commitment to women’s economic empowerment, allocating Rs.3 trillion towards schemes benefiting women and girls, including establishing working women’s hostels and creches.  Given education and skill development are cornerstones for unlocking women’s potential and enhancing their economic participation, investing in them sets off a positive cycle. Educated women have greater agency and decision-making power, are better equipped to enter the workforce, and contribute to economic growth. Moreover, empowered women are more likely to invest in their children’s education and health, impacting future generations.

In 2005-06, India introduced a gender budget, and it has helped incorporate gender considerations into all stages of policy-making since then. This approach includes creating policies, distributing resources, and ongoing assessment with a gender-sensitive outlook to address women’s challenges throughout their lives. While the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development leads the implementation of gender budgeting at the national level, Departments of Women and Child Development, Social Welfare, and Finance act as nodal agencies in the States and Union Territories. The Government of India publishes a Gender Budget Statement (Statement 13) annually along with the Union Budget.

Challenges of gender budgeting

Compared with the previous year, the gender budget for FY 2024-25 saw a substantial increase: from Rs.2.38 lakh crore in 2023-24, the budget estimate rose by 37 per cent to Rs.3.27 lakh crore in 2024-25—an absolute increase of approximately Rs.89,000 crore. This is divided into three parts: Part A reflects schemes with 100 per cent provision for women, Part B reflects schemes with at least 30 per cent allocations for women, and Part C reflects schemes with allocations for women up to 30 per cent. In 2023-24, the allocation distribution in these compartments stood at 37 per cent, 57 per cent, and 6 per cent respectively; in 2024-25, it stands at 34 per cent, 61 per cent, and 5 per cent. This indicates that while the gender budget has increased, the component allocated explicitly for women has declined since last year.

Also Read | Modi 3.0’s first Union Budget bears the unmistakable stamp of coalition politics

Under the Ministry of Women and Child Development, the Government of India launched the “’Mission Shakti” programme to enhance efforts for women’s welfare, safety, and empowerment from 2021 to 2025. Mission Shakti includes two sub-schemes: “Sambal” focusses on safety and security and “Samarthya” empowers women. Between FY 2023-24 and FY 2024-25, Sambal (which includes initiatives such as Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, One Stop Centre, Women’s Helpline, etc.) has witnessed an increase of 12 per cent from Rs.562 crore in 2023-24 to Rs.629 crore in 2024-25. However, Samarthya (which includes initiatives like Shakhi Niwas, or Working Women Hostel; Palna, or National Creche Scheme; Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, etc.) has witnessed a 3 per cent decline from Rs.2581.96 crore in 2023-24 to Rs.2516.97 crore in 2024-25.

The biggest challenge to gender budgeting is that it remains a mere 4-6 per cent of the total Budget even 19 years after its introduction. Another challenge is the lack of gender-disaggregated data being captured by government Ministries and departments, which is critical to assess the prevailing challenges and subsequently plan for targeted expenditure. Third, around 90 per cent of such budgeting is concentrated in five Ministries, which underscores the need to bring a gender perspective uniformly across all government schemes. Other challenges include limited monitoring, third-party evaluations, and gaps in gender audits.

Moral imperative

Gender-sensitive budgeting is not merely a fiscal exercise but a moral imperative. Women face deep-rooted and multifaceted systemic inequities and dismantling them requires robust and sustained investments across sectors. Gender inequality is pervasive in India and women are trapped in an oppressive cycle, starting even before they are born. Despite accounting for 48.4 per cent of India’s population (Census 2011), women have limited representation in leadership positions and decision-making roles. Globally, India has slipped two places to 129 out of 146 countries in 2024 as per the World Economic Forum’s annual Gender Gap Report, ranking third worst in Southern Asia.

The National Family Health Survey (2019-21) highlighted poor nutritional outcomes among all demographic groups, particularly women and girls, emphasising the need for a healthier, well-nourished workforce. Yet, the government’s flagship schemes on improving nutrition outcomes for adolescent girls—Saksham Anganwadi and POSHAN 2.0—witnessed a marginal increase from Rs.20,554.31 crore (2023-24) to Rs.21,200 crore (2024-25).

Access to quality healthcare, including reproductive health services, is fundamental to women’s empowerment and overall economic productivity. With over 24 million currently married women aged 15-49 years not being able to access contraception, expanding the reach of these services is imperative. The modest increase in the Department of Health and Family Welfare’s allocation from Rs.86,175 crore to Rs.87,656 crore—an increase of less than 2 per cent—falls short of the substantial investments needed to improve healthcare access for women, young people, and marginalised communities.

While the budget for Family Welfare Schemes under Central Sector Schemes/Projects increased from Rs.516 crore in 2023-24 to Rs.694 crore in 2024-25 (an increase of 34 per cent), this line item focuses on the procurement of contraceptive supplies and payment to ASHA workers. Greater investments are needed for communication and awareness initiatives pushing social and behavioural change to promote demand for family planning and reproductive health services among women. This would also enable them to make informed decisions about having children.

Comprehensive approach needed

Holistic investments in women’s empowerment go beyond economic measures and involve a comprehensive approach that includes access to quality healthcare, legal protections, social participation, and economic empowerment. This would entail investing in measures to overcome societal and systemic barriers that prevent women and girls from pursuing their education and staying in the workforce, accessing reproductive and mental health services, and participating equally in the workforce with fair pay and conditions.

Also Read | Modi government has not learnt from its electoral setbacks

Embedding gender-responsive budgeting within all Ministries should include thorough gender analysis, identification of key focus areas, meticulous planning, and establishment of short- and long-term objectives. Rather than confining gender budgeting to areas that directly benefit women’s development, it should also encompass sectors with inherent gender aspects or those that indirectly influence women’s welfare, thereby boosting their socio-economic participation.

By assessing its budgeting efforts not just to fulfil its gender commitments but also to guarantee that women’s concerns and needs are integrated into fiscal policy-making, India will ensure that its demographic dividend translates into sustainable development and gender equality and fosters a future of shared prosperity.

Sanghamitra Singh is currently Chief of Programmes at the Population Foundation of India.

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Olympic Ceremony Put a Changing France on Full Display

Aya Nakamura, the French Malian singer, did more than open the Games. She redefined what it means to be French.

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By Roger Cohen

Reporting from Paris

A new France was consecrated Friday evening during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. When Aya Nakamura, a French Malian singer, came sashaying in a short fringed golden dress out of the august Académie Française, she redefined Frenchness.

Adieu the stern edicts of the Académie, whose role has been to protect the French language from what one of its members once called “brainless Globish.” Bonjour to a France whose language is increasingly infused with expressions from its former African colonies that form the lyrical texture of Ms. Nakamura’s many blockbuster hits.

France’s most popular singer at home and abroad gyrated as she strode forth over the Pont des Arts in her laced golden gladiator sandals. A Republican Guard band accompanied her slang-spiced lyrics. Her confidence bordered on insolence, as if to say, “This, too, is France.”

Marine Le Pen, the far-right leader, had said that Ms. Nakamura sings in “who knows what” language. But her denunciation of the performance on the grounds that it would “humiliate” the French people failed to stop it.

The backdrop to the ceremony was a political and cultural crisis in France broadly pitting tradition against modernity and an open view of society against a closed one. The country is politically deadlocked and culturally fractured, unable to form a new government or agree on what precisely Frenchness should be.

In this context, the thrust of the ceremony, as conceived by its artistic director, Thomas Jolly , was to push the boundaries of what it means to be French in an attempt to bolster a more inclusive France and a less divided world. It was a political act wrapped in a pulsating show.

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Speech: “Gender inequality is a universal problem”—Executive Director

Date: Monday, 17 April 2017

Thank you so much for this warm welcome. It is a pleasure to be here, and I wish I was also here earlier on for some of the deliberations that you already had. I wanted to kick-start this discussion with a short clip that frames some of the issues I would like to highlight, and the issues that came out of work that we did together with Dr. Jeni Klugman, who is here with me, and with whom we will have the conversation later.

This is a real story, but these are actors.

(Short Ethiopian film "Alem" screened)

I think this summarizes why we do what we do. There are so many Alems in the world. Obviously, this situation represents the worst-case scenario for what is potentially a very clever girl with so much to give to the world; with an unsuspecting mother; with a father maybe somewhere in the labour market working very hard for the family; maybe in a political system that does not invest in addressing the redistribution of unpaid care work, the norms that discriminate against women and girls, and the wishes of fathers who actually may want to be present in the upbringing of their children.

What would happen to Alem? Let us assume she is 12 years old; what is her life’s trajectory? Get married early? Poverty? And once that happens, maternal health complications and child mortality could also follow.

What do you think would happen to the boys? They would teach their children the same way so inter-generational poverty is perpetuated. What else? The boys might have a possibility to improve their education. Alem’s brother already might get a scholarship, which perhaps Alem was also well qualified to compete for. It’s not that we do not wish the boys to have success, but we want both the girls and the boys to have equal opportunities.

What else crossed your mind? What would we say to the father, remembering that 80 per cent of men in the world will become biological dads, and most of them are not hands-on parents, which exacerbates the burden of care on the mothers and their potential to enter the labour market smoothly. Yes, there is potential for human trafficking. The mother may just need more money to educate the boys, to look after the younger children, and it may be easier to make money from Alem.

So, you see the cycles that repeat and may sometimes just look like the normal course of the way our lives are.

When the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on Women’s Economic Empowerment met—which I would like to talk about with the help of Jeni—we emphasized the fact that private is public. When we think about the importance of the participation of women in the global economy, we must not forget about creating an enabling environment for gender equality at a household level, and institutionalized to the extent that we have gender equality at home. The chances are that the boys will take their home behaviour to the workplace and they will perpetuate gender inequality if and when they become senior in the institutions that they may be a part of.

Policymakers need to understand how this continuum affects the work relations and the performance of economies; how the fact that mothers and girls have this burden of taking care of family robs us of the chance for women to be actors in the economy. They deserve to be there because it is their human right, but also because they have a contribution to make. It is not about, as sometimes we discuss, changing women and girls to fit into the world, but changing the world so that the world recognizes that women and girls exist.

In the High-Level Panel on Women’s Economic Empowerment we tried to maintain an emphasis on this continuum between the private being public and the public being private. We looked at the structural barriers that are sustained in society; both the formal barriers and the norms and the traditions that carry on from generation to generation. These sometimes are even stronger than the good laws that we pass in order to address gender inequality.

We identified seven drivers that could facilitate women’s economic empowerment, and we looked at how the seven drivers can be used to break some of the challenges that we saw in this one family. I hope that you would also find them interesting in the work that you are doing.

It is important to understand that gender inequality is a universal problem, lest we think that it is only girls who have a life like Alem, or those who live in the countries that Alem’s. There is no country in the world that has attained gender equality, notwithstanding all the hard work that we have done.

In the US, we are still dealing with unequal pay across the board. In the US, we are still dealing with high levels of gender-based violence. We are also dealing with underrepresentation of women in decision-making, in government, in private sector and in different institutions. And in the US, we are also still dealing with some laws and practices that discriminate against women, the most fundamental of them being that there is not, at a federal level, paid maternity leave that is compulsory. There are only two countries in the world that do not have that; the US and Papua New Guinea.

When I spoke to women at NASA, they said, you know we are rocket scientists in every way, but if I get pregnant it is a difficult decision for me, because I have to ask my colleagues if I can have some of their leave days, which they will donate to me so I can have more time at home to look after the baby. Really? A woman in a small country like Djibouti has paid maternity leave, and a woman who works at NASA cannot have that? So, we have these contradictions, which are there in all societies. I am raising that because sometimes we think of fighting to help people who are “out there” and we do not pay enough attention to changing also the conditions where we live. So that experience, in itself, prepares us to work better for everyone in the world.

I am now going to ask Jeni to join me in discussing these seven drivers. Thank you.

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