UN chief: I’m a proud feminist

Guterres calls on all men to support women’s rights and gender equality

NEW YORK: United Nations SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres called himself “a proud feminist” and said all men should support women’s rights and gender equality.

His statement yesterday was lauded by hundreds of women and a sprinkling of men at the opening of the annual twoweek meeting of the Commission on the Status of Women, a UN body that Guterres called “vital to end the stereotypes and discrimination that limit women’s and girls’ opportunities”.

The UN chief said changing “the unequal power dynamics” that underpin discrimination and violence against women is “the greatest human rights challenge of our time” – and a goal that is “in everyone’s interests”.

“Discrimination against women damages communities, organisations, companies, economies and societies,” he said.

“That is why all men should support women’s rights and gender equality. And that is why I consider myself a proud feminist.”

Guterres added that this was “a pivotal moment for the rights of women and girls”, with the issue being discussed around the globe in the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements.

As examples of the maledominated world and maledominated culture that needed changing, he said: “Women are pioneering scientists and mathematicians, but they occupy less than 30% of research and development jobs worldwide.”

And despite women being accomplished artists, writers, musicians and filmmakers, this year 33 men took home Oscars at the Academy Awards, but only six women did, he said.

The theme of this year’s UN meeting, which ends on March 23, is “Empowering Rural Women and Girls”.

Guterres called such women “particularly marginalised”.

According to UN Women, rural women do much of the work but fare worse than rural men or urban women.

“Less than 13% of landholders worldwide are women and while the global pay gap between men and women stands at 23%, in rural areas, it can be as high as 40%,” UN Women said.

Ireland’s UN ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason, the commission chair, said its work would focus on these women “who are furthest behind” and are “disproportionately affected by violence, poverty, climate change and hunger”.

“We are on the move to bring a tangible result – one that will impact on the lives of women and girls in rural areas,” she said.