Last year, UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, together with Nobel Prize Laureates Nadia Murad and Denis Mukwege, presented the report of theto world leaders in Biarritz at the G7 Summit in France. UN Women also convened activist and political leaders in New York City last September for an event called “Gender Equality: from the Biarritz Partnership to the Beijing+25 Generation Equality Forum.
Sweden’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anne Linde, explained how systemic bias puts women at risk—economically, socially and even physically. In 104 countries, there are laws preventing women from carrying out certain jobs. When it comes to a car crash, there is a 47 percent higher risk of women being severely hurt, because the car crash dummy is made with a male body. In 45 economies, there are no laws protecting women against violence in their own home.
“There cannot be social change without equality of gender,” Ebrard declared. “If we do not reach that, there will be no progress.” He added, enthusiastically: “I am a feminist, and we are waiting for you in Mexico.” Spain’s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Fernando Martín Valenzuela is also focused on making all resources available to support women and children in order to work towards real participation and towards peace and towards the SDG 2030. “We live in a world where we can all achieve our dreams,” he said. “We need to work to close gaps in gender equality, make sure we have laws against discrimination and work for gender justice.