Asia-Pacific countries meet to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in Bangkok, Thailand, from 19 to 22 November 2024.
In his opening address, Thailand Minister of Social Development and Human Security Varawut Silpa-archa emphasizes that women’s rights are human rights and urges countries to accelerate achieving commitments in the Declaration.
Leading the Philippine delegation, Philippine Commission on Women Chairperson Ermelita V. Valdeavilla reaffirms the commitment of the Philippines to the Beijing Declaration and highlights the country’s progress in gender parity in education, women life expectancy, maternal mortality and delivery of births in health facilities.
Chairperson Valdevilla also points out gaps such women marginalization in digital transformation, climate-induced vulnerabilities and unpaid care work and domestic work. Closing these gaps requires action with strong cultural consideration, according to her, “Every gender issue is rooted in culture. The Beijing Platform of Action+30 and beyond must be accompanied with a strong analytical framework on the specific cultural transformation that must accompany policy and program actions, especially on violence against women, care economy, climate resilience and science and technology.”
United Nations (UN) Undersecretary and Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) Executive Secretary Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana and UN Undersecretary and UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous also delivered remarks to highlight areas for action.
Both Alisjahbana and Bahous support actions on investing in the care economy, closing the digital divide and greening the economy.
“We must break down barriers to decent work by investing in the care economy. We must have gender responsive initiatives to improve the share of women in elective seats, take climate action and provide women with tools and training so that they do not only participate in digital transformation but also lead the way,” Alisjahbana states.
“As we embark to review the Beijing Declaration and re-commit to actions, UN women will work with stakeholders to ensure impact. Our priorities will focus on inclusive approaches to green economy transition, investments in care systems, measures to address the digital gender gap, and initiatives to promote peace and security,” Bahous adds.
Green Welfare Indonesia Founder Nala Amirah, a delegate of the Civil Society representing youth, also delivered a speech, highlighting the role of women and youth in gender equality. She says she stands in solidarity with trade unionists as she calls for disability care and social protection, parental leave and protection for care and domestic workers.
Organized by ESCAP, the conference gathers governments, civil society organizations, international organizations and the private sector from the Asia and the Pacific, to celebrate the gains and progress, identify challenges and accelerate actions to realize commitments in the Beijing Declaration.
Adopted in 1995 by UN members, the Declaration sums up global commitments to address decades-long struggle of women for equality and empowerment.
Assistant Secretary Amuerfina R. Reyes represents the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in the Conference. She will participate in the roundtable discussion on advancing women’s economic empowerment through employment, decent work, social protection and entrepreneurship, where she intends to urge investments in care services, universal social protection, just transition for women and the vulnerable, financing for women-led micro, small and medium enterprises and measures in support of women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
Assistant Secretary Reyes joins the rest of the Philippine delegation from the PCW, Court of Tax Appeals, Department of Social Welfare and Development, National Economic and Development Authority and the Philippine Embassy at Thailand.
Also attending is DOLE-Institute for Labor Studies Deputy Executive Director Atty. Mary Grace L. Riguer-Teodosio.
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