UN Women hopes to promote gender equality, see more female leaders in 5 years with $40 bn
The major challenges include not having adequate resources equal to the size of the problem.
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All the governments, companies, organisations and others who pledged money have to now work themselves and implement the women's agenda, wherever they are.
UNITED NATIONS: The outgoing head of the UN women's agency is hoping that in five years the USD 40 billion recently pledged to promote gender equality will lead to many more women in leadership positions, a reduction of violence against women, and the more than 40 million women who fell into extreme poverty because of the COVID-19 pandemic - and more - escape the poverty trap.
Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka said in an interview before stepping down this week as executive director of UN Women after eight years that the pledges by world leaders, the private sector, philanthropists, and organisations at the Generation Equality Forum in Paris that ended July 2 represent a historic and positive shift to broad-based investment in a wide range of women's issues.
She said one of the major challenges she faced was "not having adequate resources equal to the size of the problem," and realising that governments alone could not solve the problem.
So bringing together a much broader representation of society, those "who can put money on the table," and getting them to invest in gender equality was significant progress, she said.
At the Paris forum, UN Women said governments and public sector institutions made USD 21 billion in commitments to gender equality programs, the private sector made USD 13 billion, philanthropies USD 4.5 billion, and organisations USD 1.3 billion.
In addition, 440 civil society organisations and 94 youth-led organizations made policy and program commitments, the UN agency said.
The International Labour Organisation estimates that two-thirds of the jobs lost globally due to Covid-19 belonged to women.
According to ET Evoke report, various surveys find that achieving gender parity at work can add $28 trillion or 26% to global GDP by 2025. India alone could add $770 billion or 18% to its GDP by 2025 if it enabled half of its productive workforce — women.
Here's how companies can achieve gender parity.
Research: Harvard Business Review, The Washington Post, Forbes
The International Labour Organisation estimates that two-thirds of the jobs lost globally due to Covid-19 belonged to women.According to ET Evoke report, various surveys find that achieving gender pa..
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Ingrained cultures with ‘micro-aggressions’ against women can inhibit them from speaking up at meetings. This can be countered by ‘micro-sponsors’, professionals acknowledging women’s ideas, encourag..
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Mlambo-Ngcuka stressed that the money doesn't go to UN Women.
"It goes to the women and girls of the world, but it goes to the issues that we have pointed out to governments and other stakeholders as the critical issues that are impacting on women," she said.
All the governments, companies, organisations and others who pledged money have to now work themselves and implement the women's agenda, wherever they are.
Mlambo-Ngcuka said the three issues that got the most money were combating gender-based violence, promoting women's leadership and supporting the feminist movement. Ensuring women's sexual and reproductive health and rights got support though "not as much as we wanted," she said, and funders also gave money to grassroots organizations.
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But she said much more funding is needed to tackle the impact of climate change on women, which the UN agency will be calling for at the November climate conference in Glasgow, Scotland.
In addition, Mlambo-Ngcuka said, groups of countries got together and put money on the table to advance new issues including unpaid care and how to reduce and redistribute the burden, promoting "gender responsive policing" not only to focus on bringing perpetrators to justice but to prevent crimes from happening, and promoting women's access to digital finance including enabling them to be procurement suppliers to governments which she will be working on when she returns to her home in South Africa.
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"We still have more work to do, but the fact that we now have this coalition of stakeholders, who are working outside the UN" is extremely important, Mlambo-Ngcuka said.
She said there will be monitoring of what's being done annually at the UN General Assembly and at the Commission on the Status of Women, the UN organ promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women.
Looking back at her eight years at UN Women, Mlambo-Ngcuka said there have been difficult, exciting and challenging times.
Respect Yourself, Don't Be Apologetic, Be Your Own Boss: Shepreneurs' Advice To Young Women
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Women leaders across industries share their insights about being women entrepreneurs, talk about what needs to change and what young women need to do to for a better and more level playing field for all.
Women leaders across industries share their insights about being women entrepreneurs, talk about what needs to change and what young women need to do to for a better and more level playing field for ..
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"I think the playing field has most certainly opened up. But I don’t think anything has fully levelled for women yet (from business opportunities to equal pay), but it has potential to get there. This is the golden age for entrepreneurship, and you can literally make anything your career, as long as you have a passion for it. I think the best advice I can give you is to be confident and comfortable in your skills. You might be brand new to business but that doesn’t mean you can’t hustle and learn the ropes. Traditionally we are conditioned to believe that women aren’t “business minded” but that is entirely untrue. Being your own boss and crafting a business is absolutely up our alley. So just dive in, the water’s warm!"
"I think the playing field has most certainly opened up. But I don’t think anything has fully levelled for women yet (from business opportunities to equal pay), but it has potential to get there. Thi..
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"Corporate organisations both in India and globally should take the necessary steps to ensure that they groom and motivate women to take up leadership positions to help create the right balance in the workforce today. This will encourage young girls to pursue their dreams and look up to these women leaders as role models. Encouraging women at entry levels will give them the confidence to face all the challenges they might encounter, in their quest towards building successful careers in varied sectors - corporates, sports politics, media, and more. We are increasingly seeing brands rushing to push out Women’s Day content once every year, however messages such as women emancipation and empowerment should be an ongoing activity."
"Corporate organisations both in India and globally should take the necessary steps to ensure that they groom and motivate women to take up leadership positions to help create the right balance in th..
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"Over the last year in particular, there’s no denying that the pandemic has been difficult for many, and the pressures have been compounded for women. It is apparent that socio-economic vulnerability combined with the control of their sexuality, societal pressure, harassment or violence etc. gravely impact both their mental and physical health. As a nation, until we come together to create awareness and address the issues women face, only then will we able to create an environment where women can thrive. The change needs to begin with each one of us. We need to respect ourselves and not be apologetic about who we are and what we want. While we have come a long way in these last few years, we still have an even longer way to go. This journey has only begun."
"Over the last year in particular, there’s no denying that the pandemic has been difficult for many, and the pressures have been compounded for women. It is apparent that socio-economic vulnerability..
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"I believe that women are more capable of running sustainable and stable businesses. We believe in starting small, perfecting the processes and then growing. Growth built on a strong foundation is always the long lasting one. Hence I always tell young girls to start your businesses in whatever little way you can, to begin is important, the rest will fall in place. Women have been beautifully juggling between their multi responsibilities for centuries, it's now part of our DNA. From what I have observed during this pandemic, I think women were better prepared and coped with the uncertainty of the pandemic, we adapt faster and hence have not survived but thrived."
"I believe that women are more capable of running sustainable and stable businesses. We believe in starting small, perfecting the processes and then growing. Growth built on a strong foundation is al..
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"Within organisations, women have already cemented their position as thinkers, doers, and as forces to reckon with. Now, the time has come to take this to the next level; for organisations to create an even playing field, and give women professionals an environment which they can thrive in. Organizations need to take a proactive stance to create an inclusive and respectful workplace. The effort has to be two pronged – allow ease of entry and provide equal opportunities for development. In the long run, such measures will create a positive environment for mutual growth. Additionally, it will also strengthen the organization’s reputation as an employer of choice, to attract and retain the right talent, and build a diverse workforce that’s future-ready."
"Within organisations, women have already cemented their position as thinkers, doers, and as forces to reckon with. Now, the time has come to take this to the next level; for organisations to create ..
In addition to constantly having to do fundraising, she said "we have also had pushback against the women's agenda" including under former US president Donald Trump and other conservative governments in Poland and elsewhere "which destabilized rights".
She also pointed to "difficult situations" in countries like Congo which remain unstable.
On the positive side, she said working with Gambia to remove discriminatory laws against women was "a joy," helping Lebanon remove its "marry your rapist law" was also "a big win," as is seeing women in their thousands participating in local governments in India.
Mlambo-Ngcuka said she has been heartened and encouraged by the rise of girls and youth who are standing up on climate issues, fighting for girls' education and fighting to end child marriage in Kenya and elsewhere.
All of this "is going to enable us to accelerate the agenda," she said in Tuesday's interview.
In five years, she hopes to see the global average of 25% women's representation in many forums rise toward gender parity which is 50%, to see much greater implementation of laws on violence against women, and to significantly reduce extreme poverty which hit women under age 30 hardest during the pandemic.
"I'm happier as I leave about how far we have come," she said, but it's also a difficult time because the COVID-19 pandemic is ongoing, "lies and disinformation" abound, and "the vaccination situation is so messed up that we've got countries that have not even reached 1% of vaccinated people." What would she like her legacy to be?
"I just hope that we have changed the debate," Mlambo-Ngcuka said.
"This is not a struggle for women by women. This is a struggle for everybody," Mlambo-Ngcuka added.
Remote Working 101: Work-From-Home Tips & Tricks That Will Help Increase Your Productivity
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The Covid-19 pandemic has shaken up the world and has brought about monumental changes in our lifestyle. While the impact of the pandemic has been mostly negative, a silver lining among the dark clouds is the way the pandemic has affected our work culture.
In the wake of the outbreak, several Indian MNCs and companies moved their operations to working remotely. As a large number of employees logged in to their office computers from their homes, their productivity was at an all-time high, which helped restore the faith of the senior management in the work-from-home (WFH) setup.
While most of us by now have become pros at working-from-home, as the popular saying goes, there’s always scope of improvement. We have compiled a comprehensive list of work-from-home tips and tricks that will take your productivity a notch higher and help you work efficiently.
The Covid-19 pandemic has shaken up the world and has brought about monumental changes in our lifestyle. While the impact of the pandemic has been mostly negative, a silver lining among the dark clou..
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Starting with the obvious, when working from home, it is absolutely essential to set up an office-like space. No, it does not mean that one has to build a makeshift office, complete with a cubicle - it simply means having essentials in place.
For starters, prepare a checklist of all the things you need: laptop charger, phone charger that are important for smooth, uninterrupted workflow. Make sure you have them in place before you start working.
It is also advisable to keep a notepad and a pen handy so that you can jot down all the important points made in the next video call.
Then, you can also keep your water-bottle near your work-from-home desk to stay hydrated as you work your way through the shift. The key is to create an office-like environment that is conducive to your work.
Starting with the obvious, when working from home, it is absolutely essential to set up an office-like space. No, it does not mean that one has to build a makeshift office, complete with a cubicle - ..
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Taking breaks while working from home is important as it gives you time to blow off some steam and give your mind much-needed respite in the midst of a stressful work environment. But, it is advisable to time yourself when on a break.
You can use apps such as TimeOut for Mac, Smart Break for Windows to time your breaks and manage your work schedule efficiently.
Taking breaks while working from home is important as it gives you time to blow off some steam and give your mind much-needed respite in the midst of a stressful work environment. But, it is advisabl..
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Perhaps the most important tip to follow when working from home is following video call etiquette. As all your boardroom meetings shift to video calls, it is essential to look presentable and be a professional each time you Skype or Facetime with your team members.
For starters, dress appropriately. If you are in your pyjamas or loungewear, it is advisable to change into a professional attire, like a shirt or a blazer, paired with pants. Secondly, make sure that the room you are in is well-lit. Make sure the background behind you is not distracting. If you have a wallpaper with intricate designs, make sure you avoid it as a background as it may jitter on camera.
Lastly, do a dry run before you get on the call. Try calling one of your colleagues just to be sure that your mic and camera are working properly.
Perhaps the most important tip to follow when working from home is following video call etiquette. As all your boardroom meetings shift to video calls, it is essential to look presentable and be a pr..
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This is perhaps the most critical part of remote working. When one is in the office space, it is comparatively easier to communicate with one’s co-workers and supervisors. However, when working from home, since your colleagues and manager are only available on Zoom or Hangouts, it is advisable to establish a proper channel of communication.
For starters, inform your supervisor of the tasks you are performing every hour and ask them to set proper deadlines for you.
If you are working on a project with a colleague, communicate with them clearly about the status of the project and the deliverables required. This will not only help build your supervisor’s trust in you, but will also help them keep a track of your progress.
This is perhaps the most critical part of remote working. When one is in the office space, it is comparatively easier to communicate with one’s co-workers and supervisors. However, when working from ..
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Possibly one of the biggest blunders one can do while remote working is working from the bedroom. Usually, one’s bedroom is a hub of distractions. It is possible that you might get carried away and start watching TV or get distracted by your kids or pets.
The key to keeping productivity high while working from home is avoiding all the distractions, both digital and otherwise. As a result, it is advisable to work from one’s living room, sans distractions, by having an office-like setup in place.
Possibly one of the biggest blunders one can do while remote working is working from the bedroom. Usually, one’s bedroom is a hub of distractions. It is possible that you might get carried away and s..
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At times, those working from home prefer to sit in the comfort of their mattress or lounge on sofas along with their laptop. On the surface, it might seem like there is nothing wrong with it, but this can severely affect your posture, thereby leading to back problems. Especially if you are on an eight-hour shift, you might end up with a severe back ache by them you call it a day.
It is, therefore, important to sit straight and maintain a correct posture, for the sake of your back. Keeping your spine and head straight and maintaining proper distance from the laptop screen is of prime importance.
At times, those working from home prefer to sit in the comfort of their mattress or lounge on sofas along with their laptop. On the surface, it might seem like there is nothing wrong with it, but thi..
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Most of us working from home, depend on a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to access company’s assets and shared drives. VPNs are traditionally known for slowing down the Internet speed, leading to large response times.
Hence, it is vital to have a sturdy Internet connection. Additionally, if the home Wi-Fi connection is shared by your family members, it is advisable for you to instruct them not to indulge in heavy Internet usage as it might impact your speed.
Most of us working from home, depend on a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to access company’s assets and shared drives. VPNs are traditionally known for slowing down the Internet speed, leading to larg..
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Digital distractions are a bane to remote working and so is ambient noise. As you work your way through the day, you might notice the background noise is taking a toll on your productivity. Especially in Indian households, distractions are aplenty. From pets barging into your room to your parents and spouse checking up on you from time to time, it can be hard to stay focussed.
Make sure the ambient noise levels are low, so your productivity is high. Additionally, you could consider wearing headphones or earplugs to keep distractions at bay.
Digital distractions are a bane to remote working and so is ambient noise. As you work your way through the day, you might notice the background noise is taking a toll on your productivity. Especiall..
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When working from home, your boss is not breathing down your neck, but at the same time, you have to keep her updated of all the tasks you perform in a day. With no supervisor to keep check on you, you might end up losing track of time and miss out on some important tasks or deadlines.
To make sure such a scenario never occurs, you can prepare a task list every morning and stick to it. You can keep updating the list throughout the day as and when more tasks are added.
Set goals and time limits for each task. After you complete each task, cross it off the list. This simple technique is both effective and fulfilling.
There are several apps such as Todoist, Toggle and TickTick that will help you stay organised.
When working from home, your boss is not breathing down your neck, but at the same time, you have to keep her updated of all the tasks you perform in a day. With no supervisor to keep check on you, y..
'Only 30% AI professionals women, 16% hold research roles': UN Women calls for inclusive design2026-02-17T08:45:14Z
