The Executive Director of UN Women in Colombia takes action for women’s leadership and gender equality – Colombia

UN Government Director Sima Bahous undertook a three-day mission to Colombia where she met with government officials, civil society teams and partners. The objective of the mission was to create momentum and a movement for the management of girls and gender equality throughout Colombia.

The term arrived with the inauguration of a new government led by President Gustavo Petro and Vice President Francia Márquez, the country’s first African-American female vice president. The newly elected government has pledged to prioritize gender equality and to achieve gender equality in cabinet appointments. To date, 9 girls have been appointed to the 18 Ministries of Authorities. In his inaugural address on August 7, President Petro reaffirmed gender quality as the top priority of the new government.

Conferences held during the mission highlight Colombia’s progress towards gender equality and the empowerment of girls, while at the same time achieving SDG 5 and peace and security as the country continues to implement implement the peace settlement.

During a meeting with Vice-President Francia Márquez, the latter explained to Ms. Bahous the importance of inter-ministerial approaches, paying particular attention to the increasing assistance to indigenous and Afro-noble communities in Colombia. Ms. Bahous commended the Vice President for the country’s historic achievement as the first African woman to carry the message, and pledged that UN women would lend strong support to the government’s gender equality agenda.

Interviews with first daughter Verónica Alcocer focused on the importance of fighting gender-based violence. Ms. Bahous confirmed that UN Ladies is in a position to step up its efforts in this regard.

The assembly with Cecilia López, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Growth, discussed options for the challenges girls face in rural areas of Colombia. The assembly with Assistant Secretary of State Laura Gils was aimed at increasing efforts to help advance progress at the intersection of girls’ empowerment and peace.

While in Colombia, the Director of Government also met with Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Special Adviser to the Secretary General for the country and Head of the United Nations Verification Mission, and representatives of the girls’ coalitions who played a key role in the implementation of the Colombian peace. Regulations. In her statements to the group, Ms. Bahous called Colombian expertise a “model for the world” for the implementation of Security Council Decision 1325 and the Women, Peace and Security Agenda.

Ms. Bahous also met with the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Mireia Villar. The two UN officers agreed that strong coordination between UN companies is essential to deliver effective assistance not only for the development of girls and women, but also throughout the entire growth agenda.

Major UN Ladies global campaigns were also on the agenda. Ms. Bahous attended a meeting organized by the Swedish Embassy in Colombia with partners from the European Union and Norway. Sweden, the EU and Norway are among the largest funding and coverage partners of UN Ladies globally and in Colombia.

Ms. Bahous also visited a “Care Bloc” in Bogota to assess the implementation of the UN women’s mandate in the country. Care Blocks is a progressive initiative led by the Mayor of Bogota with help from Sweden and UN Ladies. In these establishments, the girls are accompanied so that they can better meet their care needs and obtain psychosocial assistance, well-being and schooling services. Launched in Bogota, the model is applied throughout the country and in various parts of Latin America and the Caribbean.