The InterDependent

The United Nations formally celebrated the debut of UN Women in the General Assembly on Feb. 23, at an event attended by 1,800 people and hosted by Michelle Bachelet, the under secretary-general and executive director of the newest UN agency, which began operating on Jan. 1.

The evening featured such speakers as Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, Joseph Deiss, president of the General Assembly, and Ted Turner, chairman of the UN Foundation.

“With the birth of UN Women, we welcome a powerful new agent for progress on gender equality and women’s empowerment,” said Ban, adding that “We can make this world a better world, where women and men can work together.”

He noted, however, that the challenges may be enormous, but that with “the new energy, the commitments and the leadership that UN Women brings, these challenges will be met.”

Ban appointed Bachelet, a former president of Chile, as the agency’s first executive director. She said that the decision to establish UN Women reflected continuing frustration with the slow pace of change for women around the world. “Think of how much more we can do once women are fully empowered as active agents of change and progress within their societies,” she said. “Historically, we are at a point of great potential and change for women. Now we must seize that opportunity.”

Some of the attendees at the formal celebration of UN Women included Ted Turner, chairman of the UN Foundation, second from left, and in the center, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Michelle Bachelet, the head of the new agency (in pink).

There are no limits, she went on, “to what women can do — from those who support their families in the hardest of circumstances to those who become ministers of gender affairs, health, finance, foreign affairs — or heads of state.”

Focusing on five areas -- expanding women’s voices, leadership and participation; ending violence against women; strengthening women’s full participation in conflict resolution and peace processes; enhancing women’s economic empowerment; and ensuring gender priorities are reflected in UN Women plans and budgets.

Ted Turner, in a brief speech at the event, urged men and the private sector to get involved in helping to achieve gender equality. “The evidence is clear,” he said. “Investing in women and girls is one of the smartest things we can do.”

He added, “The UN Foundation has leveraged millions of additional dollars, and created hundreds of partnerships to support girls on behalf of the UN with the enthusiasm to solve the global problems.” Its Girl Up campaign is involved, for example, in building up supports for the UN through education and health programs in developing countries.