UN Women Executive Director in Finland for annual consultations
Date:
This week Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka is in Finland to meet with Finnish Government officials, Members of Parliament, private sector and the academia.
A long-standing partner of UN Women towards advancing gender equality, sexual and reproductive health and rights and the women peace and security agenda, Finland is also a key ally for promoting innovation and technology for development. The Executive Director will meet with President Sauli Niinistö, a HeForShe Impact Champion, to discuss collaborations to advance gender equality, education and Finland’s commitments to reduce gender-based violence in the country and worldwide.
Finland was the fourth largest donor to UN Women’s regular resources in 2018, and an important partner in many countries. Together UN Women and Finland have supported a number of initiatives, such as supporting refugee women in the Zaatari Camp in Jordan, facilitating women’s political participation in Kenya and Tanzania, establishing protection centres for women in Afghanistan and supporting women participation in conflict resolution and peace processes around the world.
During her visit, Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka will also meet with the corporate sector and the academia in Finland to discuss the value of women’s ideas and experiences in shaping innovations, the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day (“Think Equal, Build Smart, Innovate for Change”).
In her meeting with the Minster for Foreign Trade and Development, Anne Mari Virolainen, the Executive Director will invite Finland to join UN Women’s social mobilization efforts for the upcoming 25th year anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which provides an unprecedented opportunity to engage youth in transformative dialogue and actions to generate irreversible progress for gender equality and sustainable development.