The Global World has been urged to unite and form strong alliances to promote the generation of young girls and women to enable achieve their full potential.
The Danish Minister for Development Cooperation, Rasmu Prehn said this is the time the global world can work in solidarity and determination to make a change that will improve the lives of women and girls.
“They need to benefit in the new world order where they can access quality education, engage equally and fully in all aspects of economic development,” he said.
The Minister said women and girls are the true owners of their bodies and should live a life that is devoid of violence and have the same rights as men, and added that for women to enjoy their rights countries should intensify their advocacy and reach.
Prehn said women and girls’ future and rights must be empowered for sustainable development, as they are the voices of leaders of today, tomorrow and the future and urged all nations to accelerate the promises made in the Cairo summit in 1994.
The Minister was speaking on Tuesday during the official opening of the Nairobi Summit on ICPD25 convened by the Government of Kenya, Denmark and UNFPA at Kenyatta International Convention Centre.
The three-day summit whose theme is ‘Accelerating the Promise’ is aimed at mobilizing the political will and financial commitments necessary to implement the ICPD programme of Action to achieve the sustainable Development Goal.
Prehn said as the summit celebrates the progress made in the last 25 years, countries should make a commitment to complete the unfinished ICPD agenda.
Some of the agendas include ending harmful practices such as female genital mutilation, gender based violence, child marriages, as well as promotion of girls and women human rights, access to quality education and quality health care services, as well as reduction of mortality and maternal death rates.
Speaking at the event, the Deputy Secretary-General for United Nations (UN), Amina Mohammed said the ICPD programme of Action is the game changer, and urged governments to invest in human capital and help children meet their full potential.
“UN is working with young people to improve their livelihoods,” said Mohammed.
The UN Secretary – General said UN wants a situation where women can control their bodies and live without fear, and urged governments to invest in human capital and help children meet their full potential.
“The operations of the countries should address healthcare for all including maternal health and empower young people,” stressed Mohammed and added that UN will help countries to deliver on the promises of the ICPD.
During the summit countries made their commitments to the ICPD Action.
By Bernadette Khaduli
