New York, NY – September 24, 2024 – Her Excellency President Dr. Hilda C. Heine participated in the Annual Meeting of the UNGA Platform of Women Leaders during the General Debate of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. The theme of this year’s meeting, “Women’s equal participation in decision making: Ensuring peace, socio-economic opportunities, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations,” underscored the importance of empowering women to shape their futures. President Heine emphasized that true democratic freedom hinges on the representation of all populations in public decision-making, stating, “Until that happens better for half of the world’s population, we may well remain stuck where we are today.”
In her address, President Heine highlighted the need for economic empowerment as a cornerstone of gender equality. She described ongoing initiatives in the Marshall Islands aimed at creating opportunities for women, including support for women entrepreneurs and enhanced access to education. “By breaking down barriers to women’s economic participation, we not only uplift women but also strengthen our entire society,” she noted. Additionally, she stressed the importance of legislative reforms that mainstream gender equality across all sectors.
Addressing the persistent social attitudes that inhibit women’s participation, President Heine called for comprehensive civic education and mentorship programs to support women in politics. She emphasized the vital roles women play as peacebuilders in the Pacific, advocating for the establishment of a network of women peacekeepers to enhance political engagement and address emerging security challenges. “The more that we can do today to break through barriers to women’s participation, the more the exception today can become the rule of tomorrow,” she concluded, urging collective action to foster gender equality for future generations.
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“Excellencies,
When I reflect upon challenges to women’s equal participation in our complex world, I am reminded of a basic pillar of democratic freedom. Our populations must be represented in public decision-making, and until that happens better for half of the world’s population, we may well remain stuck where we are today, where solutions aren’t well-implemented in no small part due to a lack of ownership, and the inevitable flaws of exclusion. I am committed to help change that persistent current.
This realization arose at the recent 15th Triennial Conference of Pacific Women – where, as one delegate put it – “nothing about us, without us.”
Economic empowerment is a cornerstone of gender equality. In the Marshall Islands, we are working to create opportunities for women in all sectors of our economy. From supporting women entrepreneurs to ensuring equal access to education and training, we are committed to breaking down the barriers that hinder women’s economic participation. By doing so, we not only uplift women but also strengthen our entire society. A revolving loan program by my government provides seed funding for small, women-owned businesses, and a stronger role in our economy leads to a stronger role in decision-making about it. Our national strategic plan and recent, sweeping legislative changes have reached across sectors and levels to mainstream gender equality.
But it isn’t enough – we need to affect a step-change in social attitudes, which have been persistent for generations. And no amount of studies and policy papers will change that. That is changed at the ballot box, and, to reverse course on the belief that male-dominated structures are part of traditional identity- in fact it is the opposite. Girls often stay home to do domestic work and miss out on education. And there remains a view that politics is simply “men’s work.” All of this is compounded by violence, abuse and poverty.
Civic and voter education is needed, as well as mentorship and skill building is needed for women running for office. We need to build on our own Pacific matrilineal strength- the important and vital traditional roles of women in our region as peacebuilders and deciders to resolve disputes, over land, society and family. Our history has taught us the devastating impacts of conflicts and the importance of diplomacy and dialogue.
I strongly support efforts to build a Pacific network of women peacekeepers, who engage with political leadership, and see value in how this can help address emerging security hotspots in our region and globally. We understand the fragility of peace, and it will not be effectively achieved without women. Special effort is needed to ensure women have opportunities to gain knowledge and skills needed to better achieve self-reliance.
We can perhaps best support the next generation to ensure progress on gender equality by rewriting the script on leadership. We can start at the top, and here I commend the Secretary-General for his leadership in addressing gender equality. And should put forward strong expectations that the next Secretary-General is, after seven decades, a woman. I don’t think I can answer that question without raising this point. In my nation, youth are over half the population. The more that we can do today to break through barriers to women’s participation, the more the exception today can become the rule of tomorrow.
Thank you.”
