The Generation Equality Forum (GEF) is a civil society centred, multi-stakeholder, global gathering for gender equality convened by UN Women and co-hosted by the governments of Mexico and France, in partnership with youth and civil society. The Forum brings together feminist advocates from across the globe to foster action and renew movements for gender equality. The Forum kicked off in Paris from 30 June to 2 July 2021, launching a series of concrete, ambitious and transformative actions to achieve immediate and irreversible progress towards gender equality.
The official opening session of the forum featured opening remarks from U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, GEF Co-Hosts French President Emmanuel Macron, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, UN Women’s Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka and Shantel Marekera, Member of the Generation Equality Youth Taskforce.
“First, we’re going to listen to the voices of those who carry out the fight for equality & we will also act concretely. We will not give up. This Forum must be the Forum of concrete results.”- President Emmanuel Macron
“A Radical change is needed. Gender equality is about power and power will never be conceded. it has to be won!”- UN Secretary-General António Guterres
“I want to say, one quarter is not enough. One quarter is not equality. Equality is one half, where both men and women are together.”- UN Women’s Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka
“Listen to those people who are not being heard, respect, and embrace those whose experiences are different from your own and recognise who is not in the room, and invite them in.”- U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris
“As we start off this forum, I want you all to know that we will be watching, we will be monitoring and we will hold you accountable to your commitments!”- Shantel Marekera, Member of the Generation Equality Youth Taskforce
Among the key outcomes of the GEF is the Compact on Women, Peace and Security and Humanitarian Action (WPS-HA Compact), of which The Peace Centre is a catalytic member. The Compact is an intergenerational, inclusive movement for action on women, peace and security and gender equality in humanitarian action.
The official launch of the Compact will take place on the last day of the forum on Friday, July 2, where signatories from governments, U.N. agencies, the humanitarian community, and the private sector will be announced.
Become a WPS-HACompact signatory today and join a global inclusive movement to ensure gender equality in peace, security and humanitarian action! Visit www.wpshacompact.org to learn more.
