Talking points: at the expert group meeting on gender networking

Abstract

K. Y. Amoako, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), opened the Expert Group Meeting on Gender Networking by welcoming participants, including ministers and key figures such as Mrs. Mongella, Secretary-General of the Fourth World Conference on Women. He emphasized the importance of the meeting for ECA and highlighted the shared commitment to addressing gender issues in Africa. Amoako acknowledged the challenges and opportunities in achieving gender equality, stressing it as both a social justice imperative and an economic necessity. He outlined ECA's strategic vision, which prioritizes gender mainstreaming across all sectors and the empowerment of women. Amoako highlighted specific areas of intervention, such as improving women's access to resources, opportunities, and decision-making roles, and addressing the disproportionate poverty faced by women. He emphasized the role of communication technology in fostering networking and dialogue among governments, women's organizations, and civil society.