27 January 2013: Michelle Bachelet, UN Women Executive Director, has called for prioritizing gender equality and placing it at the center of the post-2015 agenda. Bachelet addressed a meeting of the African Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and the High-level Inter-Generational Dialogue on the “Future Women Want,” both held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on the sidelines of the 20th African Union (AU) Summit.

Bachelet urged participants to contribute their views on a post-2015 agenda, and stressed the need for more women leaders. While noting progress on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Bachelet said much more remains to be done to ensure stable, inclusive societies for all, tackle persistent inequalities and move towards sustainable development. Bachelet also said cultural behavior and power structures must change to end violence against women. She emphasized increasing women’s role in peacebuilding and peace talks as a priority area of work at UN Women.

Bachelet recognized education as critical for women’s economic empowerment and leadership, and called for gender equality in the workplace, noting that ensuring women’s economic potential “can boost economic growth, create jobs and opportunities and improve the lives of all citizens.” She drew attention to the AU’s commitment to reaching gender parity, and commended its appointment of its first woman Chair, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. [Statement of Michelle Bachelet to CSO Meeting] [Statement of Michelle Bachelet to High-level Dialogue] [IISD RS Story on AU Summit]