UN Women Executive Director and EESC President sign landmark declaration to advance global gender equality during HLPF in New York

The Executive Director of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) and the President of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) signed a pivotal Joint Declaration today on the sidelines of the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) in New York. The Declaration reaffirms both institutions’ shared and unwavering commitment to promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls across the globe.

The Declaration was signed by UN Women Executive Director Sima Sami Bahous and by President Oliver Röpke of the EESC, marking a milestone moment of transatlantic cooperation on gender policy. This joint statement comes at a significant juncture: the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the 10th anniversary of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and both organisations’ continuous resolve in favour of full gender equality.

In the Declaration, the leaders of both entities commit to deepening their collaboration on a wide range of issues, including:

• mainstreaming gender across governance and policymaking

• promoting women’s leadership and representation

• combating gender-based violence and discriminatory norms

• addressing the unpaid care burden and structural barriers in labour and financial markets

• supporting access to education, digital tools, and economic empowerment for all women and girls, particularly those facing intersecting forms of discrimination

• strengthening the Women, Peace and Security agenda

“Our Joint Declaration is a pledge to a world where every woman and girl lives free from violence, fear, and inequality, fully able to lead and thrive. As we mark Beijing+30 and look to the year ahead and beyond, together with the EESC we will turn this vision into reality for all women and girls, everywhere,” stressed UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous.

Full article available here.