Distinguished guests, dear friends
Thirty years ago, thousands met in Beijing with a shared vision: A world where women and girls could live free from inequality, discrimination and violence.
I remember that it felt like history was being made.
At the time I worked as an adviser to Norway’s first woman Prime Minister, Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland.
“Women power is a formidable force”, she declared in Beijing.
Dr. Brundtland too remains a formidable force.
Nobody has taught me more about politics and leadership than her.
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The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action was bold.
Ambitious.
Transformative.
Since then we have seen undeniable progress:
- More girls complete secondary education
- Fewer girls are married before the age of 18
- Extreme poverty among women and girls is reduced
These are great steps. They are worth celebrating.
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In my life time, women’s participation in the work force has significantly increased in Norway.
And this has in fact meant more for Norway economically, than our revenue from oil and gas.
It has boosted economic growth.
It has given women greater financial independence.
And, brought our society closer to realising its potential.
This progress has not come by itself.
It reflects choices that have been made.
Rights that have been fought for.
We have developed strong laws, made smart investments and built partnerships with employers, trade unions and civil society.
Thanks to such measures as paid parental leave, flexible work hours and affordable childcare, both women and men can prioritise paid work.
And let me give you another illustrating example: In Norway, women now account for roughly one third of those completing military service - up from just above 10% a decade ago.
Progress is possible!
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Friends,
Despite progress in many countries, we face serious challenges.
We are witnessing a growing, coordinated backlash against women’s and girls’ rights - against human rights.
And especially against sexual and reproductive health and rights, and the rights of LGBTQ+ persons.
These attacks threaten the hard-won progress we have made.
It is everyone’s loss. Because, investing in gender equality makes society better.
Norway will continue to partner with the UN and civil society around the globe to ensure:
- that women and girls have the right to decide over their own bodies
- and that women are included in peace processes.
And we will continue to call on governments to:
- close the gender pay gap
- strengthen economic independence for women
- and to defend rights under threat.
As Dr. Brundtland said in Beijing 30 years ago: “Women will not become more empowered merely because we want them to be”.
Let us honour the legacy of Beijing - with attitude and action, with laws, reforms and resources, and with courage and conviction.
Thank you.