Saudi Envoy at UN Women’s Conference Calls for Action, Urges dismantling Barriers
NEW YORK CITY—Abdulaziz Alwasil, Saudi Arabia’s permanent representative to the UN, addressed the opening session of the 69th Commission on the Status of Women on Monday, issuing a strong call to action. Alwasil, who also serves as chairperson of the commission’s 69th session, urged nations to move beyond reflection and translate decades of commitments to gender equality into concrete, measurable action. the focus was on fulfilling the “promise of Beijing” and addressing global challenges that threaten progress.
Established in 1946, the annual Commission on the Status of Women serves as a crucial global platform dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. this year’s session is particularly significant, marking the 30th anniversary of the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. This landmark framework, adopted by 181 countries during the 4th World Conference on women, set aspiring goals, including equal access to education, healthcare, and economic participation, alongside the eradication of violence against women and girls.
Alwasil’s Address: A Call for Political Will and Investment
Alwasil warned that global challenges such as climate change, conflict, and economic instability pose significant risks that could reverse the strides made in gender equality. He stressed that achieving true progress demands “unwavering political will,” inclusive leadership, and continuous investment in initiatives that empower women and girls. The Saudi envoy emphasized the importance of converting commitments into tangible actions and underscored the necessity of integrating a gender-equal approach into all policies and initiatives.
According to Alwasil, this integration means:
- Ensuring gender equality is central across all policies.
- Fully funding and implementing these policies.
- Dismantling the structural barriers that exclude women and girls from leadership opportunities and equal rights.
- Holding ourselves accountable for both progress and persistent gaps.
Alwasil urged attendees to seize this historic moment to not only reflect on achievements and challenges but also to “reignite our collective determination to turn commitments into concrete action.”
Spotlighting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030
During his address, Alwasil shared the speaking time wiht three women, including Jenna Riffi, a young Saudi Arabian woman who is a trailblazer in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).At just 16 years old, Riffi became the youngest member of the NEOM project team, a futuristic initiative focused on developing a sustainable, smart megacity in Saudi Arabia.
Riffi credited the kingdom’s Vision 2030 plan for national development and diversification, along with the support of her family and international opportunities, for enabling her to pursue a career in renewable energy and electrical engineering. She stated:
I stand today as proof that determination, resilience and a supportive surroundings can empower young women to achieve amazing dreams.
Jenna Riffi, NEOM Project Team Member
Riffi emphasized that Vision 2030 has played a crucial role in changing the narrative about the roles of women in Saudi society by providing young women with opportunities to break barriers in traditionally male-dominated fields. She also highlighted the importance of continued support for women and girls in all areas of life, noting that “every step you take builds a bridge for the next generations.”
Commission’s Two-Week Agenda
The Commission on the Status of Women will convene for two weeks, bringing together delegates and advocates from around the world to discuss critical topics such as poverty, work opportunities, climate change, violence against women, and youth engagement. The discussions aim to foster collaboration and develop strategies to accelerate progress toward gender equality globally.
Conclusion: A Call to Action for gender Equality
The 69th Commission on the Status of Women serves as a critical juncture to assess progress, address challenges, and reaffirm commitments to gender equality. Abdulaziz Alwasil’s address underscored the urgent need for concrete action, political will, and sustained investment to dismantle structural barriers and empower women and girls worldwide. The stories shared,including that of Jenna Riffi,highlight the transformative potential of supportive environments and national initiatives like Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 in advancing women’s rights and opportunities.
Unlocking Global Gender Equality: A Conversation on the Beijing+25 Promise
Did you know that despite decades of commitments, the promise of gender equality remains largely unfulfilled globally? This interview delves into the critical issues highlighted at the 69th Commission on the Status of Women, exploring the pathways to meaningful change.
Interviewer: Dr. anya Sharma, a leading expert in gender studies and international advancement, welcome to world-Today-News.com. Your insights on the recent UN women’s conference are highly anticipated. Let’s begin with the core message delivered by the Saudi envoy, Abdulaziz Alwasil, regarding the need for concrete action. Can you elaborate on this urgent call to action?
Dr. Sharma: Absolutely. Mr. Alwasil’s address effectively underscored the persistent gap between global commitments to gender equality and the reality on the ground. The “Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action,” adopted 30 years ago, set aspiring goals, including equal access to education, healthcare, economic opportunities, and an end to gender-based violence.Despite meaningful progress in some areas, the call for concrete action highlights the insufficient implementation of existing frameworks and policies. We need a shift from aspirational targets to measurable outcomes, requiring strong political will and substantial investment.
Interviewer: The Saudi envoy also stressed the importance of integrating a gender-equal approach into all policies. Could you unpack what this practically entails? What are the key steps nations must take towards truly inclusive policymaking?
Dr. Sharma: Integrating a gender-equal lens into policymaking necessitates a basic shift in approach. This involves:
- mainstreaming gender equality: This means explicitly incorporating gender considerations into the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of all policies, not just those specifically focused on women’s issues.
- Ensuring adequate funding: Policies committed to fostering gender equity require substantial and lasting financial resources. Insufficient funding renders the most meticulously crafted policies ineffective.
- Dismantling systemic barriers: This requires addressing deeply ingrained structural obstacles that limit women’s access to education, employment, political participation, and leadership positions. We’re talking about tackling discriminatory laws, social norms, and institutional practices.
- Promoting accountability: Establishing robust mechanisms to measure progress, identify persistent gender gaps, and hold governments and organizations accountable for achieving gender equality goals is essential.
Interviewer: Mr. Alwasil’s address also highlighted the impact of global challenges such as climate change and conflict on efforts to advance gender equality. How do these interconnected factors exacerbate existing inequalities?
Dr. Sharma: Global challenges disproportionately affect women and girls. Climate change, as a notable example, intensifies existing inequalities by increasing poverty, food insecurity, and displacement, which frequently enough lead to increased vulnerability to violence and exploitation. Similarly, armed conflicts disproportionately impact women and girls, exposing them to higher risks of sexual assault, forced marriage, and trafficking. Addressing these interlinked challenges requires a holistic strategy that explicitly acknowledges and addresses the gender dimensions of these crises. It’s crucial to include women in peacebuilding and climate change adaptation strategies, recognizing their vital role in fostering resilience and sustainable solutions.
Interviewer: The interview highlighted the role of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 in empowering women, particularly the story of Jenna Riffi. What can other nations learn from such initiatives?
Dr.Sharma: Vision 2030 showcases the potential of national development plans to actively promote gender equality. The success stories emerging from this initiative, such as Jenna Riffi’s, demonstrate that integrating gender equality into broader national development strategies can lead to tangible positive change. Other nations can learn from this by:
Setting ambitious yet achievable gender equality targets within broader development goals.
Investing in education and skills development for women and girls, focusing on STEM fields.
Promoting women’s entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.
Enacting legislation and policies that guarantee women’s equal rights and opportunities.
* Strengthening social protection programs that support women and girls.
Interviewer: what key takeaways should readers remember about the ongoing quest for global gender equality? how can they contribute to this crucial mission?
Dr. Sharma: The quest for gender equality is an ongoing journey, not a destination. We must not only reaffirm our commitments but also translate them into tangible and measurable results. Supporting organizations actively working towards gender equality, whether through volunteering, donations, or advocacy, is crucial. We must all become active agents of change, challenging gender stereotypes, promoting inclusive leadership, and actively supporting the empowerment of women and girls globally.
Let’s keep the conversation going! Share your thoughts, observations, and suggestions in the comments section below. Let’s build a brighter future together.