Newsletter Subscription

A Laser Focus World newsletter subscription is free to qualified professionals:

The Daily Beam

Showcases the newest content from Laser Focus World, including photonics- and optics-based applications, components, research, and trends. (Daily)

Product Watch

The latest in products within the photonics industry. (9x per year)

Bio & Life Sciences Product Watch

The latest in products within the biophotonics industry. (4x per year)

Laser Processing Product Watch

The latest in products within the laser processing industry. (3x per year)

Irina Bokova Calls on Global Leaders to Finish the ‘Unfinished Business’ of Women’s Empowerment”

By: Press Release Distribution Service

September 18, 2025 at 11:02 AM EDT

As the UN General Assembly opens and the UN Women’s Conference in Beijing marks three decades of the landmark Declaration, the former UNESCO Director-General urges governments and civil society to accelerate women’s empowerment and close the gender digital divide.

Paris, September 18, 2025 -- As the world turns its eyes to New York for the opening of the UN General Assembly and to Beijing for the 30th anniversary of the landmark UN Women’s Conference, the call for action on gender equality grows louder. Madam Irina Bokova — former Director-General of UNESCO and patron of the International Science Council — has issued a powerful appeal to governments, businesses and civil society to “finish the unfinished business of the 20th century” by accelerating women’s empowerment and closing the gender digital divide.

Bokova argues that women’s empowerment is not just a moral imperative but the keystone for solving humanity’s most urgent challenges — from climate change and migration to technological disruption and conflict. “Gender equality is not a zero-sum game — when women gain, men don’t lose. Society as a whole wins,” she said. “If we don’t bridge the gender digital divide, we will deepen inequalities instead of closing them.”

The UN General Assembly’s 2025 session is expected to focus heavily on global development and inclusion. Bokova described the Assembly as a “vital platform” for recommitting to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at a time when, halfway to 2030, only 17 percent of the targets have been achieved. Against this backdrop, she emphasised the historic significance of the UN Women’s Conference in Beijing — the most progressive global agreement on women’s rights to date — and urged leaders to transform commemoration into action.

Two shifts from the 1995 Beijing Declaration continue to reshape policy today: recognising the girl child as a distinct priority for education and protection, and acknowledging women not only as victims of war but as active peacebuilders — a principle that paved the way for the UN Security Council’s landmark resolution on Women, Peace and Security. “This anniversary is not simply a commemoration,” Bokova said. “It is a recommitment to a civilisational project: weaving responsibility, education, inclusion and mentorship into the fabric of a world order.”

During her tenure at UNESCO, Bokova launched initiatives to keep girls in school, provide secondary and technical training, and link education to women’s economic empowerment. She enlisted high-profile champions, including Professor Peng Liyuan, China’s First Lady, who became UNESCO’s Special Envoy for Girls’ and Women’s Education and spearheaded the UNESCO–China Prize on Girls’ and Women’s Education. “A high-profile, competent woman lending her prestige to girls’ education is more than symbolism,” Bokova noted. “It is a model of the feminine principle at the top of the hierarchy reaching down to lift others.”

Looking ahead, Bokova warned that the gender digital divide — the exclusion of women and girls from the technological revolution — threatens to undo hard-won gains. She called on governments, tech firms and international organisations to design the next wave of innovation as inclusive from the outset. With the UN General Assembly and the Beijing anniversary as a backdrop, Bokova’s message to leaders and to the next generation of women is clear: “Have confidence. Strive to be everything you want to be. Don’t give up, don’t give in. Look for mentors. Support other women — don’t hit the ladder after you climb.”

Key facts:

Only 17% of SDG targets achieved halfway to 2030
Women’s empowerment is “the unfinished business of the 20th century”
Bridging the gender digital divide is essential to avoid deepening inequalities
Professor Peng Liyuan’s role as UNESCO Special Envoy helped catalyse projects linking girls’ education with economic development and inclusion

About the company: Irina Bokova served two terms as Director-General of UNESCO (2009–2017), becoming the first woman and first Eastern European to head the organisation. She is a member of the Board of the Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens and patron of the International Science Council. She has been a lifelong advocate of women’s empowerment, education, cultural diversity and sustainable development.

Contact Info:
Name: Alfie Brown
Email: Send Email
Organization: A-B Meida
Address: 57 Line Wall Road, Gibraltar GX11 1AA, Gibraltar
Phone: 07876586946
Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alfie-anthony-brown-938569242/

Video URL: https://youtu.be/QMU7wU32pq0

Release ID: 89170092

Should there be any problems, inaccuracies, or doubts arising from the content provided in this press release that require attention or if a press release needs to be taken down, we urge you to notify us immediately by contacting error@releasecontact.com (it is important to note that this email is the authorized channel for such matters, sending multiple emails to multiple addresses does not necessarily help expedite your request). Our efficient team will promptly address your concerns within 8 hours, taking necessary steps to rectify identified issues or assist with the removal process. Providing accurate and dependable information is central to our commitment.

About Us

Laser Focus World Membership

Magazine Subscription

Newsletter Subscription

The Daily Beam

Product Watch

Bio & Life Sciences Product Watch

Laser Processing Product Watch

Get Published!

Photonics Hot List

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast

Social Media

Meet the Laser Focus World Team

Editorial

Sales

Editorial Advisory Board

Irina Bokova Calls on Global Leaders to Finish the ‘Unfinished Business’ of Women’s Empowerment”

More News