Statement on United Nations Sustainable Development Summit
27 September 2015
The Socialist International Women (SIW) confirms its support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the far-reaching and inclusive Global Goals announced at the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit held in New York on 25 to 27 September 2015. Agreed by all member states, the new Global Goals are a post-2015 plan of urgent action for humanity, the planet and the prosperity of current and future generations.
The SIW is firmly committed to the achievement of the 17 Global Goals announced, with particular emphasis on: Goal 5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. The SIW fervently believes that genuine, global gender equality for women and girls, incorporating the active participation of women in decision-making processes regarding the world they live in, is vital to the successful achievement of the 2030 Agenda. The richness and diversity of women’s knowledge, skills and perspectives are an essential resource in facilitating powerful, gender-inclusive and sustainable changes, to the benefit of all citizens of the world.
The achievement of gender equality is a fundamental principle of the platform of the SIW and we recommit to continuing our tireless support of the emancipation of women and the ending of gender-based discrimination. The vision of SIW includes the ending of the disproportionate levels of poverty millions of women experience; the ending of violence against women, and the ending of the denial of women’s basic human rights, including safety, access to quality healthcare and access to education. The SIW sees these elements as urgent issues to address in the process of reducing inequality within homes and communities, as well as within and between countries.
The SIW actively participates in gender-related discussions at global, national and regional meetings. We also inform our members of urgent gender issues through the presentation of papers, declarations and resolutions, which outline key objectives, and urge crucial actions for change. The SIW continues to encourage and support all discussions, initiatives and legislative instruments which make gender equality a living reality for women and girls worldwide.
The SIW strongly believes that the time for global action to end poverty, cease and repair environmental degradation and create a socially democratic and gender inclusive global community is right now. We remain committed to creating a world where men and women are free to contribute ideas and opinions equally and are treated with mutual respect. The embracing of the 2030 Agenda and the 17 Global Goals is a much welcomed leap forward towards this goal. With continued dedication and enthusiasm, concrete actions towards the achievement of these Global Goals will improve the quality of the daily lives of millions, and leave an honourable legacy for the future.
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