Gender equality MDGs unlikely to meet 2015 deadline

11 Mar 2014 - 3:52pm





The United Nations says it is unlikely to meet the 2015 deadline on the Millennium Development Goals for improving equal rights for women.

By
Abby Dinham
Source
World News Radio
UPDATED YESTERDAY 4:57 PM


(Transcript from World News Radio)

The Millennium Development Goals, or MDGs, are a set of eight statements that all UN members agreed upon in the hope of achieving them by next year.

They include the eradication of poverty, equal education and empowering women.

Now the UN's Commission on the Status of Women has gathered for its 58th annual session to review the progress of the MDGs, but so far the report card is disappointing.

Gender equality MDGs unlikely to meet 2015 deadline

The United Nations says it is unlikely to meet the 2015 deadline on the Millennium Development Goals for improving equal rights for women.

Opening the 2014 session of the Commission on the Status of Women, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon stated that until gender inequality is abolished in all forms, the international community could not call itself dignified.

Mr Ban says the Commission's current focus is on women's education and reproductive rights, and also mapping a way forward to continue the progress that's been made so far.

"In that time we must also define a post-2015 development agenda. I count on your wisdom and commitment to bring the voices of women and girls to the table. I count on you to champion the human rights of all women and girls. You can count on my full support."

More than 6,000 UN representatives and non-government organisations have come together for the session to discuss a lack of progress on reaching the Millennium Development Goals.

UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka says there are high expectations that the MDGs will facilitate a 'great leap forward' for women's rights.

And so she says action must be taken to ensure that progress is made before the 2015 deadline.

"That would change the world for the better and that the lives of women and girls in the world, no matter who they are, no matter where they are, will change forever. So that the investments that keep us here that bring us here will enrich our lives, as they look up to us to fight their battles to win them, the battle against hunger, abuse, landlessness and illiteracy."

Over the two-week session, representatives will discuss access for females to education, health and birth control, and equal access to full employment.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon told the assembly that gender gaps are particularly noticable among rural populations and for Indigenous peoples, those with a disability and minority or marginalised groups.

Philippine Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN Libran Cabactulan says the Commission must achieve a transparent review of all measures taken by the UN to reach the MDGs.

"The task before this Commission is to assess achievements and progress made by women and girls in relation to the Millennium Development Goals, and to highlight the gaps and challenges. We need to have frank and open discussion about what works, where the gaps and challenges and why we have not been able to make the progress we had hoped for."

One of the gaps identified by Secretary General Ban is a lack of participation in politics by women across the world.

Under the current Abbott government Australia has only one female federal minister - Julie Bishop.

University of Newcastle Associate Professor Martin Watts says as a wealthy country, Australia is setting a poor example of gender equality to the rest of the world.

"I find it extraordinary, I think the Labor party has handled the participation of women rather better. I know a Liberal MP has suggested the introduction of quotas, so maybe that's the way to go."

The UN Commission on the Status of Women will conclude its review of the progress of Millennium Development Goals on the 21st of March.


Source
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