On June 23, Activists Say: “No Sustainable Development Without Equality”
UNITED NATIONS—Governments are meeting this week to negotiate a political declaration for the UN Summit to adopt the Post-2015 Development Agenda. The Women’s Major Group, representing more than 600 women’s groups from over 100 countries, is calling on governments to commit to a transformative agenda to ensure just, sustainable, and rights-based development.
Sixty members of the Women’s Major Group from every region of the world are attending the negotiations to hold government leaders accountable. The Women’s Major Group has released “10 Red Flags” to highlight areas that need to be strengthened to achieve the transformative agenda necessary to eradicate poverty and address the fundamental inequalities between people and inequities between countries.
On June 23, 1:15-2:30p.m. EDT, the Women’s Major Group will hold an official side event at the UN to launch the Red Flags: No Sustainable Development Without Equality (UN Conference Room B) and kick off the #WhatWomenWant campaign.
As part of the Red Flags, the Women’s Major Group is calling for gender equality and the full realization of the human rights of women and girls to be emphasized throughout the political declaration. Women and girls comprise the majority of people living in poverty and bear a disproportionate burden of the impacts of financial and environmental crises. Gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls of all ages is essential for sustainable development.
Feminist and women’s organizations have been central actors in defining the Post-2015 Development Agenda and will be crucial for its implementation. Throughout this week’s negotiations, women’s groups will continue to push for an ambitious outcome that will set the path for the UN Summit in September.
Activists from around the world will hold a Twitter rally from 9-10:00 a.m. EDT during negotiations June 23-25. Follow the conversation using #Post2015 #WhatWomenWant
Download the 10 Red Flags.
Learn more about the Women’s Major Group