World leaders to make gender equality pledge a reality by 2030

World leaders to make gender equality pledge a reality by 2030

PanARMENIAN.Net - The head of UN Women said Monday, March 14 that world leaders attending an annual meeting on the status of women have a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" to better the lives of women and girls by implementing UN goals approved by world leaders last year, the Associated Press reports.

Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, speaking at the opening of the 60th Commission on the Status for Women, said the theme of this year's meeting is the link between women's empowerment and development. She urged members to implement the 17 broad goals and 169 specific targets endorsed last year, saying it is crucial to advancing equality for women and girls around the world.

The document's overarching aims are reducing poverty and inequality and preserving the environment by the 2030 deadline. The ambitious agenda is expected to cost between $3.5 trillion and $5 trillion every year.

The two-week session that began Monday focuses on achieving gender equality.

"Excellencies, in your hands is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to end poverty and transform gender relations irreversibly for the next generation, making the world a better place for all," she said.

Mlambo-Ngcuka said that for many women and girls still at risk change is not coming fast enough. The meeting, attended by hundreds of women from the 193 member countries, non-governmental agencies and civil society, is the first since the development goals were endorsed by member nations last fall.

Language in a working document being considered by delegates at the session acknowledges the link between the development goals and gender equality.

"Women play a vital role as agents of development and the achievement of full human potential and of sustainable development is not possible if one half of humanity continues to be denied its full human rights and opportunities," it says.

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