At the Generation Equality Forum in Paris, Mary Robinson, Graça Machel and Hina Jilani outline the Elders' call on leaders to prioritise access to justice and gender equality.
Read the transcript:
This is a message for all women, everywhere.
And men, we need you too!
COVID-19 has dramatically exacerbated inequalities.
It has threatened to halt, or even reverse the gains of decades of collective action.
We must not let this happen.
We must not rebuild the status quo.
The Elders are calling for a new approach: one that prioritises access to justice and gender equality.
We call for the full participation of women in the justice sector and we must see more women in leadership positions.
We urge leaders to increase funding for legal empowerment and justice services that meet the needs and lived experiences of women and girls.
A better world has to mean ending violence against women and girls.
Justice services for survivors of gender-based violence must be regarded as essential by governments.
And when we are talking about ending violence against women, it is critical to acknowledge the role men can, and must, play.
Men, in particular men in roles of influence and power need to speak out on violence against women and girls and defy the stereotypes that normalise and perpetuate gender inequality.
And to build a better world we need quality data.
When women are not counted in the data, it is easy to disregard their needs.
So this year, at the Generation Equality Forum in Paris and beyond, in all rooms, conference halls, and online meetings where decisions are made
We stand in solidarity with all who call for this generation to be the generation that brings about equality.
And we champion access to justice for women and girls as a critical component in building a better world for us all.
FEATURED ELDERS
Mary Robinson
Graça Machel
