Gender Equality Critical to Economic Development | Division for Inclusive Social Development (DISD)

Recognizing gender equality as a fundamental human right, central to driving the global economy and achieving the recently adopted Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), business leaders joined UN Member States and civil society organizations at the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) Annual Event.

The event focused on the multiplier effect of empowering women and girls in advancing all development issues and the enormous opportunity for business to lead on promoting gender equality.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon explained: “We cannot achieve our Sustainable Development Goals without securing the full and equal rights of half of the world’s population, in law and in practice.”

Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Executive Director of UN Women, stated that: “The engagement and commitment of the private sector to gender equality are essential to reaching the Agenda 2030 goals and aspirations. Gender equality and sustainability must be integral to every business plan and strategy.”

Lise Kingo, Executive Director of the UN Global Compact, told participants: “We must recognize that gender equality is not just a women’s issue—it’s a men’s issue, a family issue, a community issue and a business issue.”

Watch an archived webcast of the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) Annual Event.

To learn more about this event, please click here.