Realizing Women’s Potential Drives Progress across International Agenda,

Secretary-General Says in Message to Global Forum Event

 

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s video message to the Global Fund for Women on the occasion of their twenty-fifth anniversary, in San Francisco, United States, on 30 October:

Musimbi Kanyoro, President and CEO of the Global Fund for Women,; UN-Women (United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women) Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka; Gay McDougal, former UN Independent Expert on Minority Issues; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen; I am pleased to congratulate the Global Fund for Women on 25 years of educating, empowering and inspiring women and girls around the world.

By advancing equality in homes, schools and places of work, the Fund champions human rights for all people.  The Fund fights domestic violence and trafficking.  It supports reproductive health and rights.  And it promotes women’s literacy and economic autonomy.  All of these activities serve the causes of social justice and peace.

Progress for women is one of my top priorities.  That is why I have appointed female leaders across the UN — including our new Head of UN-Women, Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka, who served on your Board.

What girls see, they can be.  Everywhere I go, I advocate for women’s equality with Parliaments, Presidents and people.  I share your conviction that realizing women’s potential drives progress across the international agenda.

I thank the Global Fund for Women for its outstanding contributions over the past quarter century.  And I wish you even greater success as we work together for a better future.  Thank you

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For information media • not an official record