Anita Bhatia, Deputy Executive Director of UN Women, stated that disseminating and enhancing examples of effective practices from one nation to another will foster transformation in gender equality outcomes.
Bhatia conveyed this on Tuesday during her address at a UN Women dialogue at the annual gathering of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
The dialogue was titled, “Ensuring Economic Justice for Women.”
Bhatia commended the initiatives and advancements being undertaken by Kenya to eradicate violence against women, as well as India’s initiative to prioritize gender equality within the G20 agenda.
“Significant progress is being made around us; it simply requires amplification.
“If those governments can achieve this, why can’t you? We should take cues from companies like DP World, where the chairman is a HeforShe advocate, actively promoting gender equality.”
Bhatia remarked that it is not merely concerning to witness a regression in rights in regions such as the United States, where women’s reproductive rights, fundamental to all other rights, are being critically challenged.
“The situation in Afghanistan is also unfolding right before our eyes, and as a global community, we find ourselves utterly powerless and unable to effect change because we possess very little influence.
“Thus, we find ourselves today where autocratic leaders—and in some instances, democratically elected autocrats—consider it acceptable to suppress women’s rights, which is unacceptable,” she stated.
She highlighted that it is insufficient to merely converse at international forums, noting that dialogue is easy.
Bhatia emphasized that transitioning from intention to action is significantly more challenging.
“There are three key data points I have been mentioning since yesterday concerning the state of gender equality worldwide: 286 years until we eliminate all discriminatory laws, 140 years until we achieve gender parity in leadership, and 40 years until we attain equality in Parliaments.
“There is considerable work ahead, and we cannot claim that the task is insurmountable,” Bhatia underscored.
According to her, role modeling, name-and-shame tactics, and benchmarking will aid in driving change, alongside male allyship and a concentrated focus on altering attitudes and social norms. (NAN)
