Source: The Economic Times
India has the potential to lead the world in creating just and equitable societies, the head of UN's women empowerment body has emphasised and said men and boys can play an important role in achieving gender equality.

"We need India in the leadership in changing status of women. For me it is very important that India leads in the kinds of changes that you want to see see 20 years after Beijing and in the post 2015 agenda," UN Women's Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka said here today.

Mlambo-Ngcuka, who is on her first official visit to India, is expected to advance gender equality agenda in the lead-up to the 20th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration.

She talked about the leadership displayed by "strong thought leaders in India" to formulate the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a blueprint for advancing women's rights 20 years ago.

Referring to the December 2012 horrific gangrape of a 23-year old in Delhi, she said, "Using the tragedies that you have seen, you need to mobilise more people, mobilise men, mobilise young people on the side of fighting for gender equality in collaboration with the government. I want to confirm that you can also count on us."

"Here in India there are many challenges but also there is a lot of creativity. It is a country where you can make a difference. And also there is good partnerships that you can form with the government.

Talking about the low ranking that India received in World Economic Forum's 2014 Gender Gap Index, released last month Mlambo-Ngcuka said that "it should not be a source of discouragement."

The report ranked India 114 out of 142 countries in removing gender-based disparities in the field of education, health and equal pay for equal work.

Stating that the indicator is a cumulative of "doing many different things" in areas of the economy, in education and in politics among others she said, "We have to touch all the areas and if all goes together it strengthens the indicators."

"I don't think the low ranking should be a source of discouragement, the important thing is that India is trying. The report must put pressure but it must never discourage," Mlambo-Ngcuka told PTI.

During her India trip, which she termed as "energising", the UN Women's head said, she is set to meet External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Minister for Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi.

"We are looking for areas of stronger collaboration to support the things we are already doing and the things the government is concerned about which maybe they will tell me about," Mlambo-Ngcuka said.
Meeting members of Jagori, a Delhi-based women's rights collective, which has initiated a 'Safe Delhi - make your city safe for women' campaign, the UN Women's director said, "Let us make a deal ahead of Beijing 2020 to create a Delhi that is best possible city to live in for women."

The UN Women's global 'safe city' campaign, one that utilises community-based efforts to make cities free of violence was launched in Madhya Pradesh recently and is set to target other cities as well.

"The chief minister has already inaugurated the campaign in Bhopal. We now plan to do so in Maharashtra," Rebecca Taveres, UN Women's India Representative said.

Meanwhile during her five-day visit Mlambo-Ngcuka is also set to visit Gujarat and Mumbai.

She is also set to be the opening speaker at the second edition of the 'Men Engage Symposium' here titled 'State of the Field in Engaging Men in Gender Equality'.

"Participating in the conference is meant to say to men and boys that it is your struggle too. Men and boys of India need to be part of the 'HeforShe' campaign because the campaign is about opening men's voices to take a stand against gender inequality and also to showcase those who are doing the right thing," she said.

The 'HeforShe' campaign was officially launched on the September 20 at the UN General Assembly. In Mumbai Bollywood actor Farhan Akthar has been roped in to be the ambassador for the campaign.