Discours de la Reine, Gender Equality High-level Event, New York, 21 septembre 2024

Introductory Statement by H.M. the Queen Gender Equality High-level Event, New York, 21 September 2024

Your Excellencies,

Despite notable progress over recent decades, gender equality remains a critical challenge in 2024. Women and girls continue to face systemic barriers across many aspects of life, including economic opportunities, representation at decision-making levels, education and healthcare access.

The progress toward this SDG has been alarmingly slow, with only two out of 18 indicators close to target. Gender-based violence persists and pay gaps remain unaddressed. Inequalities have an impact on women and girl’s mental health, and millions of them still lack adequate education and healthcare. Over 340 million women and girls are projected to be living in extreme poverty by 2030. Crises, instability, and climate change further exacerbate these inequalities. We are witnessing a troubling backlash against gender equality, with long-standing human rights frameworks increasingly under threat.

Although the UN has committed to gender equality, we are not on track to meet the targets established in 2015. More should be done. Gender equality must be prioritized at every policy level. The Secretary-General António Guterres' Gender Equality Acceleration Plan aims to place women's rights at the centr of UN efforts across peace, development, and human rights. However, the success of this initiative will depend on collaboration with Member States, civil society, and stakeholders across sectors.

The years 2024 and 2025 represent a crucial moment for advancing the gender equality agenda. Events like the Summit of the Future and the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration offer unique opportunities to reassert the importance of equality between men and women. These moments can act as catalysts for accelerating action, addressing systemic inequalities, and ensuring women's active participation in leadership roles. We must make the most of this window of opportunity to reaffirm and mobilize around these goals.

The “Pact of the Future” represents a key moment to revitalize the United Nations and to reaffirm the central place of gender equality. Collective action is needed.

We are less than 6 years away from 2030, and we cannot afford further delay. In my capacity as SDG Advocate, I want to give equality between men and women the attention it deserves. Public and private sectors, civil society, and academia should create partnerships to ensure that women and girls can fully realize their fundamental rights.

During my recent field visits to Bangladesh, Vietnam and Ivory Coast, I witnessed the importance of women’s work in building sustainable and inclusive societies. For instance, in the cocoa plantations I saw how women managed the finance and marketing of their chocolate. Throughout my trips, I have met so many women who want to create the means for a decent life for their children and their families.

Let us support them.

Thank you.