The United Nations largest annual gathering on gender equality and women’s empowerment brings together representatives of Member States, United Nations entities and civil society and non-governmental organizations from across the globe.
The priority theme for the event was “Innovation and technological change, and education in the digital age for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls”.
This year’s event was significant as the wife of the governor of Osun State, Erelu Ngozi Adeleke, alongside camaraderie of leading global strategists, academics, CEOs and international leaders, were physically present at the United Nations headquarters, New York City, America, to generate actionable gender equality and women’s digital education.
Highlighting the new opportunities digital technology is creating for women and girls around the world, speakers renewed calls for investments to bridge the gender digital divide, ensure a safe digital environment and ensure the full participation of women and girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM).
In his opening remarks, the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, said “Progress won over decades is vanishing before our eyes. In many places, women’s sexual and reproductive rights are being rolled back and in some countries, girls going to school risk kidnapping and assault.
“The United Nations stands with women and girls everywhere. Also, education, income and employment must be increased for women and girls, particularly in the Global South”, he emphasized while highlighting priority areas for action.
Calling for urgent action to equalize power, Erelu Ngozi Adeleke urged leaders to promote women and girls’ full participation and leadership in science and technology from Governments to board rooms and classrooms, emphasising on the need to push back against misogyny and forward for women and girls in the world.
