The International Gender Champions network is expanding again:
Ms. Maimunah Sharif, Executive-Director of UN-Habitat, M. Erik Solheim, Executive Director of UN Environment, and Ms. Sahle-Work Zewde, Director-General of the United Nations Office at Nairobi, officially launched a sister hub of the International Gender Champions in Nairobi on Wednesday 7 March 2018 iahead of International Women's Day. They welcomed all fellow leaders in Nairobi to join this important initiative (contact: admin@genderchampions.com).
"2017 has been a turning point in many ways. The #metoo campaign has shed light on the vast occurrence of sexual harassment and the pressing need to change this culture. We are today joining the high-level global network to promote gender equality that was formed in Geneva in 2015 - the International Gender Champions – to be part of the change. A core commitment for all Gender Champions is the Panel Parity Pledge. The aim is to increase visibility of female experts and decision-makers in the international fora. By taking the pledge, we commit to strive towards gender balance at every event to which we are invited to speak. I would like to encourage colleagues to make an effort to pursue gender balance on panels at every conference, panel discussion and side event that UN Environment organizes.
Today we join the Secretary-General and UN Environment colleagues Elliott Harris and Jan Dusik, the Executive Secretary of the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions Rolph Payet, the Secretary-General of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora John Scanlon , the Secretary-General of IUCN Inger Anderson and the Secretary General at The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands Martha Roja Urrego as International Gender Champions. We intend to promote gender equality across our work and we welcome all leaders in Nairobi to join this new hub of the International Gender Champions network", said Erik Solheim in his opening remarks.
A network of Focal Points will be formed at the working level to support the International Gender Champions Nairobi in their work.