Gender advocate Josephine Oppong-Yeboah has emphasized that achieving gender equality should be seen as a collective effort rather than a competition between men and women. Speaking at the 69th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) in New York, she highlighted the need for a cooperative approach to advancing gender equity.
Oppong-Yeboah noted that framing gender equality as a battle of the sexes slows progress, as it fuels misconceptions and resistance. Instead, she called for a shared responsibility among individuals, communities, and institutions to create a fairer, more inclusive society.
CSW69, which runs from March 10 to 21, is a critical global platform for evaluating progress on gender equality. This year’s theme, “For All Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment,” focuses on assessing achievements and addressing obstacles in the pursuit of gender equity. Discussions at the conference include a review of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a landmark framework adopted in 1995 to promote women’s rights.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in his address, warned that gender equality was under attack globally. He pointed to the rise of misogyny, online abuse, and policies that threaten women’s rights, calling for urgent action to counter these setbacks.
Guterres outlined key priorities for progress, including:
- Increased investment in education for women and girls.
- Efforts to end gender-based violence.
- Greater support for women’s rights organizations.
- Expanding women’s leadership in technology and decision-making roles.
Madam Sima Bahous, Head of UN Women, echoed these concerns, stating that while advancements had been made, progress remained too slow and uneven. She called for stronger legal protections, economic empowerment initiatives, and greater female representation in peacebuilding and governance.
“We refuse to be intimidated by resistance,” Bahous declared. “We will keep pushing forward.”
Oppong-Yeboah concluded by urging both men and women to actively engage in promoting gender equality, stressing that unity—not division—is the key to a more just and equitable world.
