The United State Secretary of State, Antony Blinken has thought of if the world could able to close gender gap in the workforce by 2025, which he said it will add $28 trillion to global economy and such resources can solve a lot problems.
Blinken who disclosed this at the Gender Equality Symposium in Brisbane, Australia on Thursday, made it clear that the world have so much work to do to ensure women have equitable access to medical care, to education, political participation among others.
He recalled weeks after taking office, President Joe Biden created the White House Gender Policy Council to advance equality and equity at home and abroad. “Biden released our first-ever national strategy dedicated to supporting women and girls around the world.
“And he requested an historic doubling of our foreign assistance to promote gender equity abroad – a record $2.6 billion over one year, focused on a series of priorities like preventing and responding to gender- based violence, promoting women’s economic empowerment, increasing women’s engagement and peace and security, developing women’s political leadership”.
Blinken said the United States is joining forces with governments. “Our two countries are helping to fund a World Bank initiative to expand access to quality childcare in low- and middle-income countries. We know how much doing that can free up women’s participation in every other aspect of life.
He added that the United States is also teaming up with civil society and the private sector, including here in the broader Indo-Pacific region – like in Timor-Leste.
“Where we’ve led 70 workshops for young people about preventing gender-based violence; or in the Marshall Islands, in Nauru, in Palau, Tuvalu, where we’re providing more than $2 million to support women entrepreneurs with small grants.
“The grants will help advance equity in every corner of our communities, we’re also channeling the power of sports. This is, as we all know, a universal language that can bridge the divides of geography and unite us around our love of the game”.
The Secretary cited sport as an example, according to him, “Over the last week, we’ve watched 700 of the best athletes on this planet compete in the Women’s World Cup. This tournament spotlights the exceptional talent and teamwork of these remarkable athletes.
“It illustrates their dedication, their grit, both on but also off the field. And it’s a reminder that many of these players and many other women athletes, still face persistent obstacles: unequal pay, unequal resources, unequal treatment.
“In June, we brought 50 young women from nine nations, including Pacific Island countries, to the United States, where they sharpened their soccer and their leadership skills. We sent 39 members of U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team abroad to lead workshops, to speak about the importance of girls playing sports.
“These sports envoys, some of our greatest athletes have a remarkable impact around the world. And I’ve seen these programs in action. I met with some of the young women in New Zealand who have participated in these programs, and I can see the impact it’s having on their lives in expanding their own horizons.
“We’ve connected over 200 female sports leaders from 90 countries with mentors in the United States. Many of them returned home; started organizations; they advocated for policy change; they created new opportunities for girls in sports”.