GWL Voices for Change and Inclusion is an advocacy group for multilateralism and gender equality made up of the voices of 70 Global Women Leaders
WHAT GWL VOICES’ DOES
GWL Voices’ mission is to increase the participation of women in multilateralism, as a vehicle for improving women’s welfare everywhere. The first step to achieving gender equality in leadership is to acknowledge the facts. Women are vastly underrepresented in positions of power. We already have the numbers, we know the big picture. Now let’s use this evidence to drive change.
We join our voices as women colleagues who have worked in governments and in multilateral organizations in support of promoting humanitarian relief, advocating for human rights principles and normative policies, advancing sustainable development, and resolving some of the world’s most complex conflicts.
We, ourselves, have leveraged multilateralism in order to drive positive change for peoples and our planet. Now we collectively call attention to the need to achieve full gender equality and empowerment of women across all ambits of society and the critical importance of multilateralism as a vehicle in support of that.
Embrace the principles of multilateralism and defend the validity and supremacy of the multilateral system.
Call on multilateral organisations, governments, the private sector and civil society to fashion political, legal, social and economic structures which seek to further the cause of gender equality and inclusion, with a view to deploying the necessary resources to this end and prompting all stakeholders to redouble their current efforts which have been found wanting.
We foster the understanding of multilateralism as the overarching platform to pursue and further develop women’s rights. We work towards creating an environment where gender equality is respected, and inclusion is part of the organizational culture in all spheres of society.
Achieve absolute gender equality and women’s empowerment in all areas of society as a basic concept of justice and fundamental contribution to a wiser, healthier and more prosperous society; from a multilateral perspective, as a fundamental social tool to effect positive change for people and our planet.
Uphold existing rights and legislative frameworks which protect gender equality and women’s empowerment, not least those endorsed by the historic Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action of 1995 and Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.
Promote human rights, sustainable development and the introduction and fulfillment of inclusive and fair legislation, not least in terms of gender equality.
We give priority to girls’ education and the economic empowerment of women as key ingredients for women to achieve their full potential. We promote policies to address the digital divide and its impact in the post-covid era. We ensure intergenerational dialogues with the younger generations.
Defend equal participation and champion the leadership of women in all areas of society, not least conflict resolution.
We create synergies and strengthen the networks that encourage women to participate in politics and support the sharing of knowledge and experience. We identify and work with champions all over the world to push for national actions required to empower women and give them the opportunity to participate as leaders in politics.
Endorse international cooperation initiatives to uphold the human rights of women and girls belonging to the most vulnerable groups in society, in view of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
We Contribute
70
MEMBERS
41
COUNTRIES
20
ALLIANCES
