The UN Charter stresses the dignity and value of such concepts as basic human rights, humanity and gender equality.
In 1948, the UN adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It declares that every individual enjoys basic human rights and freedoms, and that we are all equal and shall not be discriminated against. This equality includes gender equality.
In 1979, the UN passed The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. The goal of this convention is equality between the sexes, including economic, social, cultural, civic and political equality, and it aims to eliminate all kinds of discrimination against women.
March 8 marks International Women’s Day. The UN began commemorating this day in 1975 as an affirmation of the contributions by women to the promotion of political, economic and social development and of their struggle to obtain equality.
Today, International Women’s Day is marked in many countries in affirmation of the contributions and achievements by women around the world, regardless of their living circumstances, cultural background, the language they use or their economic or political status.
In the process of commemorating the women of the world, we look back at the process through which women struggled and fought for women’s rights, and we also propose a vision for the future development of the status of women.
The UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and resolutions, declarations and suggestions aimed at promoting gender equality by the UN’s special agencies, as well as international mechanisms to build gender equality, are all evidence of the UN’s efforts to eliminate discrimination against women and to build gender equality.
At the same time, the efforts of international non-governmental organizations and women’s groups in various countries have meant that people in every country have understood the importance of helping to improve the status of women and their influence. They are now doing all they can to further promote the development of women’s rights.
Expanding the traditional goals of achieving gender equality and minimizing discrimination against women — to include taking an active part in the planning of national policies, participating in decision-making on an equal basis and giving women more space for development — has gradually become a mainstream value in contemporary societies.
In traditional societies, women are normally given the role of passive participant. As times have changed, modern women have gradually moved from being passive participants to taking part as active leaders.
In initiating this realization of gender equality, the UN has created more room for women to develop, highlighting their key role in promoting sustainable development and maintaining world peace.
Chen Lung-chu is president of the Taiwan New Century Foundation.
TRANSLATED BY PERRY SVENSSON
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