5th edition of Ciné ONU Geneva: “Women and Men”

Chers collèges
Chers amis

A mon tour de vous souhaiter la bienvenue à tous et de vous remercier d’être ici avec nous pour la cinquième session de CineONU un vendredi soir au terme d’une longue semaine.

Let me, first of all, thank Secretary-General Kituyi for UNCTAD’s contribution to this event and for the important work that our colleagues in UNCTAD are undertaking also for women’s empowerment through trade and development.

This screening celebrates International Women’s Day in a very special year. 2015 marks the 70th anniversary of our Organization, the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform of Action, and the 15th anniversary of the adoption by the Security Council of its landmark Resolution 1325. All important reminders of how much has been accomplished in recent decades: Maternal mortality has been cut by half. We are close to full equality for girls and boys in primary school. There are more women in politics around the world than ever before. It is undeniable that there has been progress, and we must recall that.

But we all know – and you will see it clearly in this film – that the road to equality is still long. And we have reached a stretch on that road that is especially difficult because our further progress will really depend on changing deeply-ingrained mind-sets and attitudes. It will depend on confronting the discrimination – sometimes subtle but pervasive and with long-lasting consequences – that all too often faces women, regardless of their circumstances and at all stages in life: When new parents celebrate with joy and expensive gifts the arrival of a boy, but not that of a girl. When brothers are allowed to pursue education at higher levels instead of their sisters. When women cannot continue in the work place even if they wanted to because there is pressure for them to stay at home when they have families. When women who are in employment receive less pay for the same work as their male colleagues. When women are subjected to domestic abuse, genital mutilation and other forms of violence – not only with impunity for the perpetrators but with quiet societal acceptance that this is the norm. When culture and custom are invoked as a flimsy defence for unequal opportunities and unequal treatment.

This is the roadblock, the obstacle to progress, that is the most important to clear away – but also the hardest.

As we prepare to adopt another international agenda for action, one which will guide development after 2015, we must remember the warnings by the Secretary-General that one of the major obstacles to reaching the Millennium Development Goals has been the situation of women worldwide. And our colleagues in the Inter-parliamentary Union just released figures yesterday, highlighting that after a record increase in 2013 in the average number of women MPs, 2014 saw the lowest growth rates in recent years. A worrying trend – and a reminder that continued progress is far from given.

The theme for this year’s International Day is “Empower women, empower humanity. Picture it!” So, it is very appropriate that we mark it with a film. This remarkable documentary pictures dozens of men and women throughout the world who have spoken candidly with Director Frédérique Bedos who will participate in the discussion after the screening. Many men are featured, which is very encouraging in the light of our recent “He for She Campaign”.

Ms. Bedos has chosen through her “Humble Heroes” project to bring to light the many anonymous heroes from all walks of life who make a difference every day around the world. The project aims to encourage everyone to follow suit and “build the best we can together”. I can only agree.

While these heroes may be humble in the sense that they are unassuming and working outside the spotlight in many cases, there is nothing humble about what their actions can achieve. We cannot underestimate the potential for positive change in women’s empowerment. It is simply the very basis of a better world for all of us. I have said it before, but it bears repeating: there will be no peace, nor sustainable development, without the active participation of women at all levels of society.

Je vous remercie donc tous et toutes d’être venus assister à cette projection ce soir et j’espère que vous participerez activement au débat qui suivra. Je remercie aussi les experts du CEDAW et de l’Institut qui guideront nos discussions.

Merci et bon film.