Recently, I had the privilege of attending the Parliamentary Launch of the Beijing +20 Campaign during Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka’s first visit to Australia as the United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women.

Prior to her appointment with the United Nations, from 2005 to 2008, Dr Mlambo-Ngcuka was the first woman to hold the position as the Deputy President of South Africa. At that point in time, that was the highest position to be held by a woman in the history of South Africa.

Dr Mlambo-Ngcuka kicked off the event by acknowledging Australia’s proud international track record of gender equality and the empowerment of women which dates back to the drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948.

Australia has continued that legacy by showing continued support and actions since the inception of UN Women in 2010 to accelerate the progress of gender equality for women and girls around the world.

The Beijing +20 Campaign celebrates the upcoming anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing. In September 1995, a remarkably diverse group of 17,000 participants and 30,000 activists streamed into Beijing for the opening of the conference. Coming from all corners of the world, they had a single purpose in mind: gender equality and the empowerment of all women, everywhere.

At the conclusion of the two-week conference in Beijing, involving representatives from 189 governments and 30,000 non-governmental activists, the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action was formed; this became the most progressive blueprint ever for advancing women’s rights.

A definitive framework for change, the Platform made comprehensive commitments under 12 critical areas of concern; these include:

Women and the environment

Women in power and decision-making

The girl child

Women and the economy

Women and poverty

Violence against women

Human rights of women

Education and training of women

Institutional mechanisms for the advancement of women

Women and health

Women and the media

Women and armed conflict

Nineteen years after the declaration and platform was formed, more girls are in school, more women have access to health care, and more women are working and assuming positions of leadership; although, Dr Mlambo-Ngcuka emphasised that progress has been slow, and no country has yet finished this agenda and achieved gender equality.



In 2014, 1 in 3 women still suffer from physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. Globally, there are 64 million girls who are child brides, and 40 percent of women in Africa do not have access to basic education; with gaps in reproductive rights and health care, 800 women die in childbirth each day.

Dr Mlambo-Ngcuka highlighted that we have now reached a critical juncture in this effort and we must ramp up resources to accelerate the pace of change.

The Beijing+20 campaign opens doors for everyone in the world to reconnect, regenerate commitment, and charge up political will, while the campaign also provides the public with the resources and knowledge to make a change.

During her speech, Dr Mlambo-Ngcuka reflected on the moment when Rugby's magnificent seven refused to play against the all-white Springboks during their 1971 tour of Australia and in same year Sir Donald Bradman stopped South Africa’s cricket team from touring Australia ‘until they choose a team on a non-racist basis.’

Dr Mlambo-Ngcuka said, "Today, the women and girls of the world need Australians to play that role again."



"If all of us do – to end gender inequality – what the freedom-loving people of the world did to finish apartheid, we cannot lose."

Dr Mlambo-Ngcuka finished off by saying ‘Empowering Women, Empowering Humanity: Picture it!' This was an invitation to every Australian to join the movement, take action, and make their voice heard.

The opportunity to attend the Beijing +20 campaign launch, and hear Dr Mlambo-Ngcuka speak has reminded me, that to achieve gender equality everyone in society has a role to play. Be it in your workplace, your school, your community, online, or even on the streets, never underestimate the difference you can make in the lives of others.

Imagine a world where every woman and girl can go to school, live free from violence, have the freedom to make decisions and choices of their own, and receive equal pay for the same work. That was the vision every conference participant left Beijing with in September 1995, and it still is the vision of UN Women as well as the vision that many of its supporters, like myself, hold today.

Through the Beijing+20 campaign, we now have an opportunity to gather our voices from across the globe, and combine forces to make a world where gender equality and women's empowerment are a reality.

I would love for you to join me in this journey, and to help you get started; the Australian National Committee for UN Women offers a variety of initiatives where everyday Australians can partake in. These include the #20for20 campaign, local events, workplace giving and corporate partnerships; full details and links can be found at the end of this post.

If you are not based in Australia, you can find out about similar initiatives ran by your local UN Women office. Alternatively, through the UN Women Knowledge Gateway you can participate in discussions, connect with like-minded individuals, and explore resources and tools for driving the agenda of gender equality and women’s economic empowerment online.

Picture it! You can do it! Together we can empower women, and empower humanity.

Local initiatives by the Australian National Committee for UN Women:





#20for20

Would you like to celebrate how far we’ve come and improve the lives of women and girls in the years to come? Sign up as a Beijing Champion Donor by donating $20 each month to UN Women projects around the world. Learn more at http://unwomen.org.au/20for20

Events

Seminars, corporate education and women in leadership networking events will be held around the country. UN Women also encourages you to host your own Beijing +20 event using their resources. Keep an eye on https://unwomen.org.au/events for updates.

Workplace Giving

Your workplace can support women and girls and help make the Beijing dream a reality. To start giving, head to https://unwomen.org.au/workplace-giving

Become a Partner

The Australian National Committee for UN Women welcomes corporations as vital partners in achieving gender equality. Contact janelle.weissman@unwomen.org.au to form a partnership today.

*Images courtesy of UN Women Australia

Follow me on Twitter:@lis_chan

Empowering Women – Empowering Humanity: Picture It! http://beijing20.unwomen.org