Breaking Glass Ceilings: 30 Years After the Beijing Declaration – Women’s Leadership in Positions of Power
The 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a landmark document that guides the international community’s efforts towards the empowerment of women around the world.
The Platform’s Strategic Objective and Action G about “Women in Power and Decision Making,” is a critical component of the broader global agenda for gender equality and sustainable development. Its focus on improving women’s social, economic, and political status does not only aim at achieving equality for women, but also at creating systems of governance, administration, and societal structures that are transparent, accountable, and inclusive.
The under-representation of women in power and decision-making roles reflects deep-rooted power relations that prevent women from fully participating in and benefiting from the opportunities available in society. These power imbalances operate at every level, ranging from deeply personal and cultural barriers, to structural obstacles within political and economic systems. In the public sphere, these barriers manifest as an under-representation in leadership positions, from government bodies to corporations and community organizations. When women are excluded from these decision-making spaces, their perspectives and priorities are often overlooked or undervalued.
It is therefore crucial to address these barriers by empowering women to take their rightful place in every decision-making process. This empowerment involves much more than simply opening up spaces for women; it requires dismantling the systems of power that have historically limited women’s roles. It also means ensuring that women’s contributions are valued, that leadership opportunities are accessible, and that women are supported at all levels of decision-making, from grassroots organizations to the highest political offices.
The high-level event aims to explore and promote the increased participation of women in leadership roles and decision-making processes, in government and beyond. It will serve as a platform for discussions, sharing of experiences, and actionable strategies to empower women in political, economic, and social spheres. It will also address the barriers women face in accessing positions of power and decision-making, while also highlighting the importance of inclusive and gender-sensitive policies that foster women’s leadership.
Objectives:
- To raise awareness about the current status of women in leadership positions across various sectors (government, business, society).
- To identify the key barriers women face in entering decision-making roles and explore solutions to overcome them.
- To create a space for networking, collaboration, and mentorship among women leaders, youth leaders, and actors supporting gender equality.
- To highlight successful case studies and share experiences and best practices in empowering women and fostering leadership at all levels.
- To advocate for institutional and policy reforms that promote women’s participation in decision-making.
- To assess progress in promoting women candidates in senior positions of the wider UN system.