(as delivered)

Statement by Dr. Yasue Nunoshiba
Special Advisor of the Government of Japan
Item 27: Advancement of Women
71st Session of the Third Committee
Of the United Nations General Assembly
11 October 2016

 

 

Madame Chair,

 

          Gender equality and the empowerment of women maximize the potential of women. I believe that more engaged societies and stronger economies can and should be realized through efforts in these areas.

 

          In this regard, Japan has been reinforcing its international cooperation and development assistance with a view toward achieving ‘a society where women shine’ all around the world.

 

Madame Chair,

 

          Developments in gender equality and women’s empowerment, have made substantial progress last year. This achievement is owed much to the Beijing+20 Conference and the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

 

          In line with these developments, Japan has also achieved considerable movement. In March 2015, Japan announced its commitment to provide 350 million US dollars of ODA over the following three years in the field of education, with special emphasis on gender-sensitivity and women and girls’ empowerment. We have made considerable progress implementing this commitment.

 

          Japan also introduced its “Development Strategy for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment” in May 2016. We will actively encourage and support women all over the world to take leadership roles in various fields, such as infrastructure development, education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, political and public services, peacebuilding and disaster prevention.

 

          Furthermore, at the G7 Ise-Shima Summit last May, Japan announced a global human resources development initiative for around 5,000 female government officials over three years, as well as improved educational opportunities for over 50,000 girls. These initiatives have already seen advance.

 

Madame Chair,

 

          The world is suffering from ongoing conflicts. As the world number of refugees, migrants and displaced persons increases to ever higher records, the vulnerability of women and girls in such contexts continues to escalate. We must keep our eyes always on the protection of women in these situations. International society must expand its emphasis on the interconnection between women and peace and security, WPS.

 

          From this perspective, Japan has been steadfastly implementing its action plan on WPS. Japan co-organized the Asia-Pacific Regional Symposium on National Action Plans on WPS together with UN-Women in Bangkok in July. We exchanged expertise and shared the statuses of our respective action plans, including their formulation and effective implementation. This symposium greatly raised awareness of the importance of women’s participation in the field of peacebuilding in the region and as a whole.

 

Madame Chair,

 

          Only the collective effort of society can establish ‘a society where women shine.’ To this end, every year since 2014 Japan has been hosting the World Assembly for Women, “WAW!” in Tokyo to discuss various aspects of women’s empowerment with the world’s top women leaders and other relevant stakeholders.

 

          Japan will continue to promote assistance for developing countries and cooperation with civil society and private enterprise toward its goal of ‘a society where women shine.’

 

I thank you.