For information only - not an official document
UNIS/OUS/404
8 March 2019
VIENNA, 8 March - International Gender Champions and Heads of the Vienna-based United Nations organizations have discussed how men can play an active role in promoting gender equality.
The event, held to mark International Women's Day 2019, kicked off with a presentation by Matt Wallaert, a behavioural scientist and entrepreneur working at the intersection of technology and human relations. He talked about the importance of being aware of the micro-behaviours that hamper or promote gender equality in organizations.
Wallaert said that achieving gender equality benefits men and women but that to achieve it "we need men to change."
Yury Fedotov, Director-General of UN in Vienna and Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, said, "We need to heed the call of this year's International Women's Day to 'think equal, build smart, innovate for change' and do more to fast-track gender equality through innovation around gender-responsive systems and services."
LI Yong, the Director General of the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), said the call to innovate for change is a key part of his organization's work to achieve inclusive and sustainable industrial development.
Li said, "As UNIDO evolves to meet the challenges of the future, we will continue to support women innovators, entrepreneurs and industry leaders to find ways where technology and innovation can remove barriers and advance gender equality."
Ambassadors Brendon Charles Hammer, Permanent Representative of Australia, and Ambassador Alicia Guadalupe Buenrostro Massieu, Permanent Representative of Mexico, both related incidents of struggling with and prevailing over gender inequality during their careers.
Lassina Zerbo, Executive Secretary of Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization, said, "In the 21st century, we must have the courage to understand gender equality as a path to social justice. It all comes down to respect and making space for each individual to exercise his or her talents. This approach benefits humanity, peace and development."
UNIDO's Li highlighted the need to build an equal partnership between women and men for the benefit of all, adding that, in this context, "men have an important but often less acknowledged role and responsibility."
"We have to break the glass ceilings and the glass doors to arrive at gender equality," Li concluded.
The event, which was moderated by Ambassador Andrej Benedejčič, Permanent Representative of Slovenia, was a joint initiative of the Gender Focal Points of the CTBTO, IAEA, UNIDO, UNODC/UNOV and the Focal Points for Women from UNODC/UNOV.
Read UNIDO Director General LI Yong's Opening Remarks here.
Find out more about UNIDO's work on gender equality and the empowerment of women here.
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For further information, please contact:
Hedda
Femundsenden
Gender Coordinator
UNIDO Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women Office
Email: h.femundsenden[at]unido.org
