LUDOVIC MARIN
47 million women worldwide have also slipped into poverty since the crisis began around a year and a half ago. Lockdowns would also have sparked more violence against women.
In addition, there is a “new conservatism” that attacks women’s rights. “There is an urgency,” said the host of the conference, which should last until Friday. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres complained that the Internet economy is still primarily dominated by men. “Misogyny is in the Silicon Valleys of this world,” said the Portuguese.
Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) said in a video message that equality is still not a matter of course. Germany is working on the international action alliance “Economic Justice and Rights” and will invest a further 140 million euros. That would add up to 240 million euros. “These are investments that particularly benefit the education of girls as well as fair working conditions and the strengthening of women’s property rights,” summarized Merkel.
Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recalled the World Conference on Women in Beijing a good quarter of a century ago. In 1995, 189 countries in the Chinese capital passed a catalog of demands aimed at achieving gender equality in all areas of society. Clinton performed in Paris with 17-year-old Chilean activist Julieta Martinez.
In the fight against disadvantage, the foundation of US patrons Bill and Melinda Gates is spending 2.1 billion US dollars (around 1.76 billion euros). The lion’s share will go to health and family planning over the next five years.
Numerous heads of state and government and leaders of international organizations attended the opening – either in the conference room or via video. Among them were EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and US Vice President Kamala Harris. Harris warned that democracy was in danger all over the world. “Gender equality strengthens democracy.” The meeting is under the auspices of UN-Women, the United Nations women’s organization.