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\u00a9 UNICEF\/Francis Kokoroko\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Beneficiaries of a UNICEF Livelihood Empowerment against Poverty (LEAP) programme in Ghana.<\/em><\/p>\n UN chief calls for global action to defend women\u2019s rights amid disturbing trends | UN News<\/a><\/p>\n 11 March 2024<\/strong>Women<\/strong><\/a> – <\/strong>The UN Secretary-General on Monday highlighted the urgent need to defend women’s rights which are under threat, citing a reversal in hard-won progress, increasing violence against women and a growing digital gender divide.<\/strong><\/p>\n Addressing<\/a>\u00a0the opening of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), the pivotal forum dedicated to promoting and safeguarding the rights of women and girls worldwide,\u00a0Secretary-General Ant\u00f3nio Guterres<\/a>\u00a0stressed the disproportionate impact of wars on women.<\/p>\n \u201cIn conflict zones around the globe, women and girls are suffering most from wars waged by men,\u201d he said, urging immediate ceasefires and humanitarian aid.<\/p>\n He emphasized the appalling situation in Gaza, where over two-thirds of those killed and injured during Israel\u2019s offensive are reportedly women and girls. He also noted shocking testimonies of sexual violence against Palestinian women in detention settings, house raids and checkpoints in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.<\/p>\n In Israel, he added, last week\u2019s report released by UN Special Representative Pramila Patten highlights horrific sexual violence against women and girls and indications of sexualized torture during the terror attacks launched by Hamas and other armed groups on 7 October.<\/p>\n Mr. Guterres also voiced concern over the situation faced by women in other countries, including Afghanistan and Sudan.<\/p>\n \u201cIn Afghanistan, the Taliban has issued more than 50 edicts suppressing women\u2019s and girls\u2019 rights. In Sudan, scores of women have reportedly been subjected to rape and other forms of sexual violence in the ongoing conflict,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Women peacemakers<\/strong><\/p>\n Secretary-General Guterres stressed that despite evidence that women\u2019s full participation makes peacebuilding much more effective, the number of women in decision-making roles is falling.<\/p>\n \u201cThe facts are clear: Women lead to peace,\u201d he said, calling for more funding and new policies to boost women\u2019s participation and investment in women peacebuilders.<\/p>\n Digital gender divide<\/strong><\/p>\n The UN chief also emphasized a growing digital gender divide, noting the dominance of men in digital technologies, particularly in Artificial Intelligence.<\/p>\n He warned that male-dominated algorithms could perpetuate inequalities into various aspects of life, noting that women\u2019s needs, bodies and fundamental rights are often overlooked in the design of systems by male leaders and technologists.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s time for governments, civil society and the Silicon Valleys of the world to join a massive effort to bridge the digital gender divide and ensure women have decision-making roles in digital technology at all levels,\u201d he urged.<\/p>\n Breaking glass ceilings<\/strong><\/p>\n Mr. Guterres also drew attention to the pressing need for women to hold leadership roles, particularly in financial institutions.<\/p>\n He highlighted the stark gender disparity in finance, with over eight \u00a0of ten finance ministers and more than nine out of ten central bank governors being men.<\/p>\n The Secretary-General emphasized that dismantling structural barriers is crucial for achieving gender parity in leadership roles.<\/p>\n \u201cOverwhelmingly male-dominated financial institutions need to dismantle the structural barriers that are blocking women from leadership roles,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Drawing parallels with the UN\u2019s successful achievement of full gender parity among senior management and leaders worldwide, he urged governments, banks and businesses to replicate these efforts, emphasizing that change does not happen by accident.<\/p>\n Call to action<\/strong><\/p>\n The Secretary-General concluded his address by urging the international community to unite in the fight for gender equality, emphasizing that the CSW serves as a catalyst for transformative change.<\/p>\n He called for collaborative efforts to end poverty in all its dimensions.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s do it by investing in women and girls, betting on women and girls, and pushing for peace and dignity for women and girls everywhere,\u201d Mr. Guterres said.<\/p>\n Equal access needed<\/strong><\/p>\n The President of the General Assembly, Dennis Francis, continued the call to action, highlighting the urgency of intensifying efforts to achieve\u00a0Sustainable Development Goals<\/a>\u00a0(SDGs).<\/p>\n With the world currently lagging attaining the Goals, particularly the Goal to eradicate extreme poverty (SDG1), Mr. Francis revealed a stark reality:<\/p>\n \u201cCurrently, one in every ten women lives in extreme poverty \u2013 I repeat \u2013 one in every ten women,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Underscoring the need for a multidimensional approach, the Assembly President urged equal access to resources, gender-responsive social protection policies, and measures to end gender-based discrimination inhibiting women\u2019s leadership and decision-making roles.<\/p>\n