BANGKOK, Nov 20 : The 'Beijing + 30 Asia-Pacific Regional Conference' kicked off in Thailand on Tuesday to mark the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration, a landmark agreement on women's rights adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995. The conference, co-organized by UN Women and the Asian Economic and Social Commission, has brought together over 1,200 delegates from across the Asia-Pacific region to assess progress and form a strategy on further actions to achieve gender equality.
In her speech during the three-day conference, Sima Bahous, under-secretary general of the United Nations and executive director of UN Women, acknowledged advancements in women’s education, reduced maternal-child mortality, and increased participation in politics and the economy. However, she highlighted persistent challenges, including the disproportionate amount of time women spend on unpaid household labor, which is five times greater than men’s. She emphasized the need to address violence against women, enhance economic empowerment, and increase women's roles in tackling climate change.
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Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, under-secretary-general of the United Nations and executive secretary of Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), stressed that women’s leadership is crucial in managing the climate crisis and the ongoing digital transformation. She noted that gender equality cannot be achieved without addressing inequality in urban societies.
Thailand’s Minister for Social Development and Human Security, Varawut Silpa-archa, called for empowering women as key resources and leaders. He underscored the importance of economic empowerment and employment for women, stressing that eliminating gender inequality requires collective action.
Nepal’s Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Women, Children, and Senior Citizens, Aabha Shrestha Karn, shared Nepal’s initiatives to combat gender inequality, including challenging harmful social norms, recognizing women’s caregiving work, reducing the digital gender gap, and addressing violence against women.
The three-day conference, which will conclude on Thursday, will feature presentations from participating countries on their progress, challenges, and solutions for gender equality. It is expected to contribute to the global agenda for the World Summit in March 2025, with a focus on advancing gender equality through multi-sectoral cooperation across the Asia-Pacific region.
