Yesterday marked the beginning of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68). UN Secretary-General António Guterres, in his opening remarks, highlighted two critical issues:
* Digital technology advancements risk further marginalising women. Current tech systems and algorithms often overlook women's needs and perpetuate gender biases, potentially embedding inequalities in sectors like urban planning and credit systems for years to come.
* Poverty predominantly affects women globally, with limited access to resources like land and financial assets. Economic sectors with a majority of female workers are often undervalued and underpaid.
Reflecting on these points, I recall the discussions from the GEWE NETWORK Pre-CSW68 panel talk, where I emphasised the need for targeted financial strategies to advance gender equality:
* Tailored scholarships for girls are crucial, considering factors like financial need, academic potential, and cultural barriers. Inclusivity in these programs is key.
* National and local budgets are crucial in allocating resources equitably to combat poverty and inequality. Incorporating gender analysis in budgeting processes is vital for effective allocation towards gender equality.
* Inclusive economic growth requires respecting workers' rights to fair and favourable conditions. The focus should be on altering the growth process itself, not just including women in it.
* Financial markets, not inherently designed to promote gender equality, require regulation and oversight to protect women's rights and prevent abusive lending practices.
* Recognising spending on education, health, and care services as investments in social infrastructure is vital. These expenditures, often seen as consumption, actually contribute significantly to economic productivity and should be treated with equal importance as physical infrastructure investments in government budgets.
Additionally, there's a pressing need for in-depth research into the extent of barriers women face in accessing technology and acquiring digital literacy skills. This is a focal point of the UN Women UK Voice project, aiming to address these challenges.
At this pivotal moment for gender equality, with 10.3% of women globally living in extreme poverty, the pace of progress needs to drastically accelerate to meet the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This demands a united front from civil society and member states to champion women's and girls' rights. The path ahead is clear: there is much work to be done. #csw68
Senior Legal Counsel - Fidelity International | Advisory Council - British Museum Friends | UN Women UK CS67 and 68 Delegate | Ex-BlackRock | Cambridge University Alumna
1moFantastic news Favour!