Friday, Michaëlle Jean, Secretary General of the International Francophone Organisation (OIF), was the keynote speaker at the headquarters of the United Nations, at a high level thematic debate on the promotion of gender equality and empowerment of women in the development program for post-2015. The debate, organized on the occasion of International Women's Day (Sunday, March 8), highlighted the challenges and opportunities for the adoption of an equitable and inclusive development program.

"Equality between men and women, economic empowerment of the latter, access to quality education, in positions of responsibility and decision making, as well as sexual and reproductive health services, are not the only women's business. They are everyone's business and require early youth awareness. These are the prerequisites for a sustainable economic and social development. This is fundamental and inalienable human rights. It is therefore through this prism that we must, 20 years later, look at the record of the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action," Ms. Jean said, adding "we do not expect 2030 to a better world is opening up to women and girls."

As part of her visit to the UN headquarters, Michaëlle Jean met with the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon "This meeting allowed me to measure the extent of our partnership and its relevance to major international challenges. The Secretary-General and I have reiterated our desire to strengthen our joint actions for peace and development, particularly for women and young people."

Sunday, Michaëlle Jean will continue her visit to New York with a participation in events to mark the International Women's Day. Monday, she will attend the high-level consultation francophone marking the 20th anniversary of the Fourth UN World Conference on Women and Development (Beijing+20). States and governments, members of the OIF will adopt on this occasion a Declaration on the economic empowerment of women.

HL/ HaitiLibre