UN Focuses on Women Empowerment as Marking International Women's Day

More than a decade since world leaders agreed to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has said the empowermentof women remains necessary element in achieving targets. He made the remarks on an event held at UN Headquarters in New York inthe run up to International Women's Day.

Shen Ting has this report.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day, as well as the 15th anniversary of the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which is the outcome of the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995.

Ban Ki-moon said the landmark Beijing Declaration, sent a clear message to women and girls around the world that equality and opportunity are rights.

"In the fifteen years since Beijing, we have seen many examples of progress. A growing number of countries have policies and legislation that support gender equality and reproductive health. Most girls now receive an education, particularly at primary level. Women are now more likely to run businesses and be given loans. Women are also now more likely to participate in government."

However, he stressed that injustice and discrimination against women still persist.

Meng Xiaosi, Vice-Chairperson of the National Working Committee on Women and Children in China believes the world women's movement has achieved a great deal, but there is still a long way to go.

"New realities not only calls on all states to fully deliver their commitments, but also requires us to adopt more vigorous and more effective actions to bring gender equality and women's advancement to a new height. This, perhaps, is the best commemoration of the centenary of the International Women's Day, and warmest greetings to women of the world!"

And it seems female activists are getting younger. A canadian teenager hopes to inspire change by raising issues st school believing that as a teenage girl, she can do just as much as the adults.

"It's the girl who knows what issues they are facing the most. Adults? Yes, they can be educated but still they are not girls. Only us know what the real problems are in this. So they must listen to us. It's very important for them to know what we feel so that we can overcome this big problem together."

International Women's Day will be marked on March 8th.

Shen Ting, for The Beijing Hour, UN Headquarters in New York.