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 22 February 2010
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UN Secretary-General calls for empowerment of women

22/02/2010

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says that full empowerment of women requires expanding economic opportunities and ending violence against them.

Afghan women reading

Afghan women reading

The Secretary-General spoke at a special event in New York on engaging philanthropy to promote gender equality and women's empowerment.

He says that philanthropic foundations, the private sector and civil society are critical for advancing women's rights and noted that they are already helping transform the lives of women and societies around the world.

The Secretary-General says the global recession has shown once again that women and children often bear the brunt of economic downturns.

"Our bad economy inevitably results in more girls being pulled out of schools, fewer decent jobs for women, and higher rates of violence. And yet we know that violence against women undermines the development, generates instability, and sets back peace."

The Secretary-General is urging the private sector to exercise even more leadership for gender equality by empowering women at all levels of corporate responsibility.

He says the UN Development Fund for Women and the Global Compact will soon launch the women's empowerment principles and seven steps to empower women from the supply chain all the way to the Board Room.

Jocelyne Sambira for UN Radio
duration: 1'19"

Sound bites

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon cut 1

"Our bad economy inevitably results in more girls being pulled out of schools, fewer decent jobs for women, and higher rates of violence. And yet we know that violence against women undermines the development, generates instability, and sets back peace."
Duration: 20"

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon cut 2

"Last year we gathered on International Corporate Philanthropy Day to discuss global public health. This year, our focus is gender equality and empowerment of women. The commitment of foundations, the brain power of research centres, innovative spirit of the private sector, the dynamism of civil society, these are all critical for advancing women's rights. Around the world, your engagement is already helping to transform the lives of women and societies."
Duration: 38"

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon cut 3

"Our goal must be clear: no tolerance of the use of rape as a weapon of war. No excuses for domestic violence. No looking the other way when it comes to sex trafficking, so-called honour crimes or female genital mutilation. To achieve these aims we must widen coalition for action. That is why I launched the 'Unite to End Violence against Women Campaign."
Duration: 31"

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon cut 4

"UN agencies are reaching out to mobilize support. We are building on these efforts in many ways. First, this year I hope very soon member states will create a new dynamic gender equality entity at the United Nations to better support women worldwide. Second, I have launched a network of man leaders, prominent global voices such as Archbishop Desmond Tutu for using their influence to end violence against women and girls. Third, I have appointed Ms. Margot Wallström of Sweden as Special Representative to intensify efforts to end sexual violence against women and children in conflict areas. Fourth, we continue to seek contributions for the United Nations Trust Fund to End Violence against Women that supports on the ground initiatives to fight violence."
Duration: 1'01"

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon cut 5

"To the private sector, we look to you to exercise even more leadership for gender equality, starting from the top. We need you to promote education, support human rights and non-discrimination, empower women through all levels of corporate responsibility. UNIFEM and the UN Global Compact will soon launch the Women's Empowerment Principles, Equality Means Business, Seven Steps to Empower Women from the first link up the supply chain all the way to the Board Room. I urge you to do your part to bring those principles to life."
Duration: 40"

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon cut 6

"To the philanthropy community, we look to you to target women with your programmes. Make sure that female beneficiaries are treated equally. Work to ensure that their communities, homes, schools and work places are free of verbal, physical or sexual harassment."
Duration: 24"