Seminar: Rettighedsbaseret udvikling set med kønsbriller

TIME: Wednesday, March 21, 13 – 17

VENUE: Eigtveds Pakhus, Sal II, Asiatisk Plads 2G, 1448 Copenhagen K

Meet Dan Seymour, Strategic Planning Advisor and Deputy Chief of Staff, UN Women and a panel of powerful women from several countries around the world who will discuss gender equality and women’s empowerment from a rights-based perspective.

TIME: Wednesday, March 21, 13 – 17

VENUE: Eigtveds Pakhus, Sal II, Asiatisk Plads 2G, 1448 Copenhagen K

Meet Dan Seymour, Strategic Planning Advisor and Deputy Chief of Staff, UN Women and a panel of powerful women from several countries around the world who will discuss gender equality and women’s empowerment from a rights-based perspective.

The last century has witnessed an unprecedented expansion of women’s rights in what is probably the most profound social revolution the world has ever seen.

One hundred years ago, only two countries allowed women to vote. Today that right is virtually universal. And there are many of these good examples, but still gender inequality and the discrimination of women exists all over the world.

Unleashing women’s potential is a prerequisite for full and sustainable economic and social development of societies. Progress must be made at a faster pace, but how fast is it possible to go? And how best do we support local change agents?

The World Economic Forum’s gender gap report found that in 134 countries with available data, greater gender equality correlates with a higher gross national product. In the World Bank’s 2012 World Development Report the benefits of fully involving women is highlighted.

Equally involvement of women is “smart economics”. Just as development means less income poverty and better access to justice, it also often means fewer gaps in the equality between males and females. How do we link these findings to a rights based approach to development?

Partnership for change is key. Interventions need to be made in cooperation with partners – bilaterally and multilaterally, state and non-state. Agents of change and institutions must be supported in countries of cooperation. UN Women is a key partner in these endeavours. UN Women has a strong normative role to play as well as the role of motivating other UN bodies and other international organisations to work harder to pursue a gender equality agenda. How do we ensure that this happens?

For Denmark gender equality and women’s rights is a central issue with regards to development: The fight for women’s right to sexual and reproductive health; Women’s political participation; The implementation of Security Council resolution 1325 about women, peace and security; Violence against women; Women’s equal access to land rights, education, inheritance, modern energy services etc.; How do we meet these and the many other challenges that exist?

Questions will include:
– What should Denmark and the EU do differently in order to further support the advancement of women’s rights?
– How should gender equality and women’s rights be taken forward in Denmark’s new development strategy in relation to themes like human rights, democracy and good governance, stability and protection, social development and green growth?
– How could Denmark best promote an agenda for women’s political participation – especially in relation to the Arab spring?
– How do Denmark best strengthen women’s economic empowerment?  What new challenges are seen with regard to gender equality and women’s rights?

The seminar will be held in English.

Registration is required through this link: https://survey.enalyzer.com/?pid=n2f4pife

Deadline for registration is March 16. Final programme and other information will be sent out Monday, March 19.