"The
Secretary General Ban Ki-moon addressed the assembly, stating that CSW59 was to be a
celebration of 20 years of human rights for women. He
said: " Women must be at the centre and at the front of future policy
making. Women suffer disproportionately, society must end all forms of
violence. Empowerment is the best driver of hope."

Many
of the millennium goals have been progressed, access to education; infant
mortality reduced by a half but women in leadership remains unacceptably low.

Ban Ki-moon
challenged everyone to achieve gender equality. Member states must urge their
governments to engage with women; change the mindset of men; use
their power to advance the status of women. He would not name but for example
there are eight countries in the world where there are no women cabinet members..

No country in the world who has achieved gender equity

Other
eminent speakers highlighted:-

Men
and boys must get involved to break down and change the mind set of gender
stereotype.

More
women must be part of, lead peace keeping missions.

Gender
disaggregated data is still inadequate.

1000
girls are killed or raped every day in situations of conflict.

We
must intensive our support for cessation of gender violence

United
Nations must appoint women as mediators

United
Nations must mobilise the agenda for peace and security.

Gender
equity is a basic human right, women must be able to participate at every level
within their countries.

All
governments must reaffirm their commitment to gender equity.

Member
states must celebrate women right defenders who are no longer with us,
acknowledge that progress is limited, that there remains in many countries lack
of resources and that the challenges require bold actions.

20 years after Beijing+20 we cannot go back, we
deserve better and as the youth leader stated I am impatient, is that a
character flaw? I am eager to challenge and eager to excel isle