United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres lauded women’s rights defenders at the annual townhall, calling them “foundation-shakers” who are “shaking out justice, dignity and equality for communities across the globe.” He acknowledged the persistent power imbalances in politics, the economy, and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), warning of a growing backlash against women’s rights fueled by disinformation and culture wars.
“These are trying times,” Guterres stated, noting that a “bitter wind is blowing around the world” that hardens attitudes and promotes a backlash against women’s rights. He emphasized that this backlash “thrives on disinformation, that exploits fear and insecurity, that weaponises culture wars and that seeks to push women into silence.” He urged the attendees, “The last thing I want from you today is silence.”
Concerns Over UN Women and UNFPA Merger
During the townhall, representatives raised concerns about the proposed merger of UN Women and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA). Maria Leon Gonzalez from the Young Feminist Caucus questioned the rationale behind targeting these key agencies for streamlining, suggesting an examination of alternative options. Guterres responded that the merger aims to create a “more powerful” entity with shared resources while maintaining both mandates.
‘States Must Tell Themselves the Truth’ on Women’s Rights
Law professor Joy Ngozi Ezeilo from Nigeria highlighted issues of shrinking public spaces, funding shortfalls, and government crackdowns. She asserted, “It’s time States must tell themselves the truth,” and called to “reassert that women’s rights are human rights,” a sentiment echoing from the 1995 Beijing Fourth World Conference on Women. Ezeilo stressed that despite progress since Beijing, “States must contribute to advancing women’s rights.”
Changing Power Relations and UN Reform
When asked about his legacy, the Secretary-General emphasized the importance of changing power relations to advance gender equality, a focus throughout his tenure. He also recognized the crucial work of civil society groups and announced a meeting in July to gather their input on the UN80 initiative for reform.
Guterres acknowledged the difficulty in defending hard-won rights and building coalitions, stating, “It comes at a price.” He recognized that “When you push for change, you are pushing against the patriarchy, and the patriarchy is pushing back.”
‘You Can Count On Me’ for Support
Pledging his unwavering support, Guterres urged participants to “keep shaking the foundations of privilege.” He declared, “You can count on me to be with you, now and always, and together, we will say loud and clear: no to the pushback, no to the rollback, no to going back, no surrender.” He concluded with a firm commitment: “We will never, ever give up.”
The full townhall meeting can be watched on UN Web TV here.
