This structure, the first of its kind, constituted by Mr. Zniber,Ambassador Permanent Representative of Morocco to the UN Office in Geneva,on the sidelines of the 57th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC) of the The UN has both normative and operational expertise.
it will be an informal space for critical reflection, analysis and advice to support the HRC President in mainstreaming gender equality and parity and women’s empowerment within the Council, to accelerate and achieve make tangible progress on the agenda and improve the lives of women and girls around the world.
The Advisory Council will also provide an opportunity for UN agencies and international organizations based in geneva to share their good practices,achievements and challenges in gender equality and parity within their own institutions.
In a speech on this occasion, Mr. Zniber stressed the need to put in place concrete measures to guarantee the representation of women at the highest levels of decision-making, believing that it is time to “go beyond the stage of festivity of the first woman at the head of a United Nations agency and ensuring that the presence of women at the head of an agency becomes a normal phenomenon.
To achieve this, he said, it is necessary to change mentalities and policies at all levels: international, regional, national and local, hence the interest in creating the first Advisory Council of the President of the Rights Council of Man on gender equality, in Geneva.
“The objective is to foster transformative change in dialog, governance and inclusiveness,” the diplomat stressed.
For her part, the Deputy executive Director of UN Women, responsible for resource management, sustainability and partnerships, Kirsi Madi, expressed the pride of the UN agency in being part of this Advisory Council in the person of its Executive Director, Sima Bahous, emphasizing the importance of this initiative, given the important challenges facing the march towards gender equality.
“Without accelerating progress towards gender equality,the international community will not be able to achieve Enduring Growth Goal No. 5 relating to gender equality but also the entire 2030 development agenda sustainable,” she warned, emphasizing the relevance of this initiative as the world next year celebrates the 30th anniversary of the World Conference on Women in Beijing and the adoption of the Declaration and program of Beijing action.
The launch of this Advisory Council, during a ceremony at the Palais des Nations in the presence of an audience of personalities and diplomats, is an opportunity to celebrate the participation of all regional groups and the main UN entities in efforts aimed at gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, said Ms. Madi, expressing her conviction that this Council will constitute a solid platform for the achievement of the Beijing commitments, the 2030 agenda and the objectives of the HRC .
Note that the advisory council will be composed of representatives of Member States to the UN office in Geneva, the United Nations system and other key stakeholders. The first members invited to be part of this body are recognized for their long experience and expertise on issues related to gender equality, parity and women’s empowerment in the multilateral system.
How will the Advisory Council collaborate with UN agencies to promote effective gender equality initiatives?
Interview with Mr. Zniber: Pioneering Gender Equality at the UN Human Rights Council
Time.news Editor: Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Mr.Zniber, the Permanent Representative of Morocco to the UN Office in Geneva. mr. Zniber recently launched the first Advisory Council dedicated to gender equality at the UN Human Rights Council. Thank you for joining us, Mr. Zniber.
Mr. Zniber: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to discuss this important initiative.
Time.news Editor: Let’s dive right in.Why was the Advisory Council established, and what are its primary objectives?
Mr. Zniber: The Advisory Council was created to provide a space for critical reflection, analysis, and advice aimed at supporting the HRC President in promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment. Our goal is to not only accelerate progress on this front but also make tangible improvements in the lives of women and girls worldwide. We are focused on ensuring that gender parity is not just an objective, but a lived reality.
Time.news Editor: During your speech at the launch, you mentioned the need for concrete measures to ensure women’s representation in decision-making. can you elaborate on what kind of measures you envision?
Mr. Zniber: Certainly. We must work to change mentalities and policies at all levels: international, regional, national, and local.This involves not just appointing women to leadership roles, but also instituting policies that enable them to thrive within those roles. Such as, creating mentorship programs and supporting family-amiable workplace policies can encourage more women to pursue leadership positions within the UN and beyond.
Time.news Editor: Fascinating! with the 30th anniversary of the World Conference on Women in beijing approaching next year, what significance does this milestone hold for gender equality initiatives?
Mr. Zniber: The 30th anniversary is a moment to reflect on the progress made since the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action while acknowledging the challenges that remain. It is indeed a rallying call for the international community to renew its commitment to gender equality and to ensure that the Sustainable Development Goals,particularly Goal No. 5, are met. This Advisory Council is a step toward not only celebrating those achievements but also reinvigorating our drive towards fulfilling our commitments.
Time.news Editor: How does the Council plan to work with UN agencies and international organizations to share best practices and address challenges in gender equality?
Mr. Zniber: The Advisory Council will serve as a platform for dialog and collaboration among various stakeholders. We aim to facilitate exchanges where UN agencies and other organizations can share their experiences, their successes, and the obstacles they’ve encountered in promoting gender equality. By learning from one another, we can develop more effective strategies and policies moving forward.
Time.news Editor: What would you say to critics who question the effectiveness of advisory councils in driving real change?
Mr. Zniber: I acknowledge that skepticism is healthy and necessary for progress. However,the effectiveness of any initiative largely depends on the commitment of its members to engage actively and meaningfully. The composition of our Advisory Council includes individuals with vast expertise in gender issues within the multilateral system. Their insights will inform actionable policies and initiatives aimed at real transformation.
Time.news Editor: what practical advice can you offer to individuals and organizations dedicated to advancing gender equality in their communities?
Mr. Zniber: Start by fostering an inclusive culture that values diverse perspectives. engage men as allies in the fight for gender equality and encourage actions that dismantle existing barriers. Educate yourself and others about the importance of gender parity,and advocate for equitable policies within your organizations. Together, we can create environments that empower women and girls to succeed.
Time.news Editor: Thank you,Mr. Zniber, for sharing your insights and the vision behind the Advisory Council.It’s clear that meaningful change requires collaboration, commitment, and continuous dialogue.
Mr. Zniber: Thank you for having me. I’m hopeful that together we can advance gender equality on a global scale.