UNCAV-ENFiD-Austria Panel Discussion on Embracing Equity: Women’s Activism & Leadership

The United Nations Correspondents Association Vienna (UNCAV) and the European Network of Filipino Diaspora Austria (ENFiD-Austria) in collaboration with the International Women’s Day (IWD) is organized a Panel Discussion in the margins of the International Women’s Day Celebration on the theme: “Embracing Equity: Women’s Activism and Leadership”. The Panel Discussion was take placed on Friday, 10 March 2023, 14:00-16:00 at the UNO City, United Nations, Vienna International Centre (VIC), Wagramerstrasse 5, 1400 Vienna, Austria.

Ambassadors and diplomats from around the world participated in this conference. Moderatorted Sarah Jozelle ROJAS First of all, she welcomed everyone and congratulated everyone on the UNCAV-ENFiD-Austria Panel Discussion on Embracing Equity: Women’s Activism & Leadership conference. In the conference especially, it was started with the songs of this peace. The United Nations (UN) recognized that in order to achieve its 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, it would be essential for women to participate equally in leadership, including political and public life. Today, women are underrepresented in all levels of decision-making, including in the professional world. In some industries, this gap is exponentially larger, such as in transport where women make up 22 percent or less of the workforce. Among the speakers who participated in it were۔۔۔۔

Abdallah Sharief
President, United Nations Correspondents Association Vienna (UNCAV)
Renate Amesbauer
President, Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP)
Isabelle Ekwelle
President, United Nations Women’s Guild (UNWG)
Maria Lourdes Soto Reininger
Integration Ambassador for Austria
Founder/Former President, Philippine Austrian Cultural and Educational Society (PACES)
PANELISTS
Demee Koch, Switzerland
Evy Revilla, Italy
Nova Fossgard, Norway
Marilyn Magoo, Austria
Christel Gaño, Austria
Dialgoue to Diaspora (D2)
Christian W. Estrada, UK
Annie Estricomen, France
Gina Sollano Hardy, Norway
Ana Bel Mayo, Italy
Dorie Reyes Poloczek, Germany

2023 is all about equity—the quality of being “fair.” This year’s International Women’s Day theme, #EmbraceEquity, encourages everyone to “do their part in creating a fair and equal world within their sphere of influence.” We believe that the process of equity can only truly begin once we’ve taken a look inward through the lens of equity. What biases have we internalized and how do they hold us back? How can we define our own unique needs and seek support to satisfy each one? From there, we are better equipped to model equity as a process and advocate for others through allyship. When we are first fair to ourselves, we can challenge inequities in our workplaces and beyond—breaking down bias and moving toward equal. Representatives from across the borough was discuss topics including gender Equality in Violence Against Women and Girls prevention, feminism in the world and gender equity in the workplace and campaigns. A focus on gender equity needs to be part of every society’s by challenging gender stereotypes, calling out discrimination, drawing attention to bias, and actively seeking out inclusion, we can close gender disparities and accelerate progress toward a more gender-equal world. We know from numerous studies and on-the-ground experience that foreign aid programs that focus on gender equality are the most effective way to end extreme poverty. Empowering women and girls is not only right, it is smart. By putting gender equality at the core of all U.S. foreign aid, we can more effectively make our world safer, more peaceful, inclusive, and prosperous for everyone. There is extensive research on the benefits of investing in women and girls – benefits that extend beyond the individual woman to her family, community, and country. Empowering women and girls and advancing gender equality are a critical part of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), an internationally agreed upon set of goals to end poverty and advance equality. Many countries are using the SDGs to inform and inspire their aid and related policies. Today we faces the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality. Whether it’s in school, college, university, workplace or elsewhere, raising awareness about discrimination and taking action to push for gender parity is crucial. It opens doors for girls and young women and gives them the chance to celebrate their achievements. #EmbraceEquity means to them as well as their own aspirations, hopes and goals.

At the end, Organizer Marizel Rojas thanked everyone for coming to the conference.