Women’s empowerment at an international level was the focus at the G7 Forum with Women held in Berlin on September 16 and 17.
At the forum, German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, met with female leaders from around the world to discuss ways forward for the empowerment of women.
The meeting noted that the eradication of gender-based violence is significant to achieving digital and economic empowerment.
Chancellor Merkel, known as one the most powerful woman in the world, highlighted that societies and economies could not be successful without gender quality.
Her sentiments were shared by UN Women Executive Director, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, who stated that with the world’s commitment to sustainable development was crucial.
The female leaders agreed upon a declaration urging the G7 to take on women’s issues as a permanent fixture of its agenda. The forum called on leaders in business, politic, civil society and academics to promote and strengthen women’s empowerment.
Barriers identified to achieving global gender equality includes: discriminatory laws, gender stereotypes in societies, low levels of education, lack of access to health care and the disproportionate effect of poverty on women.
These barriers, they say, must be addressed with government leadership.
The forum also discussed how benefits from modern technology “the digital world” can be maximised through changes in education systems with access to quality skills, technology, mentors and funding.
To watch an archived webcast of the event livestream, click here. – See more at: http://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2015/9/g7-meeting-and-declaration#sthash.em2hNzfl.dpuf
