UNPOG organised one Special Session titled “ICT, E-Government and Women’s Empowerment”, in collaboration with Social Development Division (SDD) of UNESCAP from 14:30 to 15:30 on 18 November. It was part of the joint project between UNPOG and SDD on “E-Government for Women’s Empowerment”. The objective of the project is to enhance knowledge, raise awareness, and share good practices in the area of e-government for women’s empowerment. This Special Session served as a customised opportunity to showcase the findings from the project and engage government officials, academics, NGOs, and other interested stakeholders in discussion to identify policies, tools, and strategies of e-government for women empowerment. Around 150 participants attended the Special Session and joined the proceedings actively.

 

This Special Session took place on the occasion of “Asian and Pacific Conference on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment: Beijing +20 Review,” which was organised by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), in cooperation with UN Women from 17 to 20 November 2014. Over 700 participants including Ministers, policy makers and civil society representatives from the region participated in the Conference and reviewed progress, remaining challenges and priorities in advancing gender equality. Issues addressed by participants include eliminating violence against women and girls, empowering women economically, increasing women’s political participation and leadership, addressing emerging environmental challenges and advancing peace and security for women and girls.

 

Mr. Lim Jae-Hong, Head of UNPOG, delivered the opening remarks, touching upon the important role of e-government not only in women’s empowerment but also in sustainable development which would provide inclusive growth and promote women’s empowerment. 

 

The joint project is the first effort by UNESCAP to relate ICT to gender equality. It is expected that this joint project will lay the solid foundation of opening a new field for empowering women, which is timely, relevant, and significant thanks to the advancement of ICT and e-government. 

 

The joint project shows a promising prospect to be developed as a long-term activity and to contribute as a groundbreaking start in the area of ICT for gender equality and women’s empowerment.

 

The following link is to the video documentary on ICT, E-government and Women's empowerment showed during the special session: 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KtcwsDF_ns&list=UUw0H1k76cVytDosvoTULQEQ