22 May 2014: UN Women has launched a year-long, worldwide commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, China (Beijing+20). The campaign, titled ‘Empowering Women, Empowering Humanity: Picture It!,’ aims to mobilize governments and citizens to envision a world in which gender equality is a reality. In 2015, based on national reports of UN Member States, the UN will assess progress on implementing the Beijing Platform for Action.

“While much progress has been made in the past two decades, no country can claim to have achieved equality between men and women,” said Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, UN Women Executive Director. Mlambo-Ngcuka said the Beijing Platform for Action is “an unfulfilled promise to women and girls.” Among the goals of the campaign is increased resources to realize gender equality, women’s empowerment and the human rights of women and girls, according to Mlambo-Ngcuka.

The campaign began with a day-long global “Tweetathon” with 15 hosts, including the UN, Lean In, the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts and the World YWCA, who led discussions on issues such as young women’s leadership, girls’ empowerment and violence against women and girls. Monthly mini-campaigns will be held on specific topics beginning in June 2014. UN Women also launched a global information hub to track Beijing+20 events, and released ‘Close the Gap,’ an interactive Facebook application where users can add their profile pictures to tell the world to bridge the gender gap. Throughout the year, the campaign will feature events focused on achievements and gaps in gender equality and women’s empowerment.

The formal commemoration of the 20th anniversary will take place during the 59th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW 59), and International Women’s Day 2015 will be dedicated to Beijing+20. A high-level commitment meeting is expected in September 2015. [UN Women Press Release] [UN Press Release] [Mlambo-Ngcuka Statement] [Tweetathon] [Beijing+20 Website] [Close the Gap] [IISD RS Story on Beijing+20 Preparations]