United Nations Headquarters, New York — 68th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women event at the UN headquarters spotlighted the pivotal role of women’s resource rights in achieving gender equality, poverty alleviation, and food security. The conference, themed “Harvesting Empowerment,” brought together global leaders and policymakers to underscore the necessity of equitable land and resource ownership.
Representing Somalia, the Director of the Gender Department at the Ministry of Women and Human Rights Development, Sadia Mohamed Nor delivered a compelling address. She emphasized the critical need for an integrated approach to growth and development that intertwines economic and social progress, with a particular focus on law enforcement and gender-responsive employment.
“Ensuring women’s economic empowerment and access to resources demands a gender-sensitive macroeconomic environment, full employment, decent work, and comprehensive social protection measures,” she stated. The call to action was clear: “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress.”
The conference outlined key measures to transform the status of women and combat the feminization of poverty. These include:
- Adopting gender-responsive budgeting: Increasing investment in social infrastructure to enhance women’s capabilities and alleviate unpaid care and domestic work.
- Inclusive trade facilitation: Leveraging the AfCFTA principles to ensure women’s benefits from trade processes.
- Sustainable infrastructure: Guaranteeing access to food and nutrition, particularly in conflict or disaster-stricken areas.
- Financial empowerment: Enhancing women’s access to credit, training, and skills development to improve their quality of life and reduce poverty.
The event marked a renewed commitment to reviewing and strengthening policies that promote transparency, accountability, and informed action based on the knowledge of rights, paving the way for a more equitable and prosperous future for all women.
