Maria Malmer Stenergard emphasises women’s and girls’ rights and empowerment at meeting during UN General Assembly session
Published
Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard took part in an event that Sweden hosted together with UN Women during the UN General Assembly’s high-level week. The theme was women’s and girls’ empowerment. The aim of the event was to stress the importance of promoting gender equality and women’s and girls’ empowerment at a time when their rights are being called into question.
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Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard together with UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous
UN Women/Jennifer Graylock
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From left: Regional UN Women Ambassador Jaha Dukureh, UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous, Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard and UN Women Goodwill Ambassador Danai Gurira.
UN Women/Jennifer Graylock
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Sweden’s Ambassador to the UN Nicola Clase together with UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous
UN Women/Jennifer Graylock
“Women’s and girls’ rights and economic empowerment is a major focus of the Swedish Government’s foreign and development policy agenda. Growing global resistance to gender equality and women’s and girls’ rights is a serious concern. For this reason, Sweden is a strong voice in the UN for gender equality and women’s and girls’ enjoyment of human rights,” says Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard.
Ms Malmer Stenergard and Ms Bahous delivered the event’s opening address, which was followed by a panel discussion with several distinguished participants.
Sweden holds the Presidency of the UN Women Executive Board this year and is working to improve women’s economic empowerment. Gender equality is a Swedish core value and a political priority of Sweden’s Government.
Gender equality and UN Women
UN Women, the United Nations organisation for gender equality and women’s rights, operates in around 100 countries. Sweden is one of the largest financial donors to UN Women and holds the Presidency of its Executive Board this year. Efforts to promote women’s economic empowerment are a top priority for Sweden during its Presidency. This is an important year for gender equality, and it is UN Women’s 15th anniversary.
The Beijing Platform for Action turns 30 this year, which was celebrated at the UN General Assembly on 22 September. UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security was adopted 25 years ago, which will be highlighted in October.
