Ahead of International Women's Day, UNA-UK joins UN Women in urging countries to "step it up" in the fight for gender equality. As well as appealing to the UK Government directly, UNA-UK is encouraging supporters to 'Take to Twitter' to ensure women's rights remain a UK priority.
UNA-UK's Executive Director, Natalie Samarasinghe, has written to Nicky Morgan MP, Secretary of State for Women and Equalities, calling for the UK to show renewed commitment to women and girls in what looks set to be a testing year.
Three major UN negotiations around gender equality and women's rights are due to take place in 2015:
- At the Commission on the Status of Women in New York next week (at which UNA-UK will be represented by WACUNA), member states will review implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action - considered the global blueprint for gender equality
- In September states are due to decide what will replace the Millennium Development Goals - which were notably weak on women's rights
- In October the Security Council is set to review global efforts to put into practice the landmark Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security
Successful outcomes for each of these negotiations are by no means guaranteed, and even the modest achievements of recent years may be vulnerable. As an influential member state, UNA-UK has urged the UK to "build on its record by fighting to protect the gains of the last 20 years, and by setting out a progressive vision for the future realisation of women’s rights and gender equality".
Due to the timing of the UK's upcoming general election in May - taking place before two of these crucial UN negotiations - a copy of this letter has also been sent to Gloria De Piero, Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities. The letter states that "women’s rights and gender equality are not the preserve of any one political party but should be a priority for all."
Click here to read the letter in full.
Join the call
UNA-UK is urging its members and supporters to 'Take to Twitter' and support our campaign for a strong UK position on gender equality and women's rights.
Commenting on the launch of this campaign, Dame Margaret Anstee, the first woman to become a UN Under-Secretary-General, said: "In 2015 it is the 70th anniversary of the UN; 40 years since the first UN Women’s Conference in Mexico; and 20 years since the Fourth Conference in Beijing. It is high time member states fulfil their commitments and the UK should take the lead."
International Women's Day resources
- New World article from Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka on how to make 2015 a turning point year
- Podcast of a parliamentary meeting on "Prospects for gender equality in 2015"
- UK progress report on gender equality in this country
- UNA-UK foreign policy manifesto - a bold plan to advance gender equality
- Further information on the Beijing Platform for Action
- Gender and Development Network report - "Turning Promises into Progress"
