[Herald Interview] Educating girls ‘way to end poverty’
时间:2024-09-22 20:20:56 来源:American news
U.N. Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka does not mince words when she talks about the education of young girls. “It is the right thing to do,” she said emphatically during an interview with The Korea Herald at a hotel in southern Seoul on Monday. Mlbambo-Ngcuka is in Korea to attend the World Education Forum 2015 being held in Incheon May 19-22.
For the developing and underdeveloped countries around the world, investing in women brings about fundamental changes in society, Mlbambo-Ngcuka argues. “It ensures they will make contributions as citizens,” she says, explaining that countries are compromising their own development when they do not educate women.
For example, educated women means better health management of the country, as lifestyle-related illnesses can be avoided and better immunization and nutrition of children can prevent illnesses. “Education of women has multiple benefits,” Mlbambo-Ngcuka says, concluding, “It is the only sustainable way to end poverty.”
Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka. (Ministry of Gender Equality and Family)
One way to ensure education for women is to have more women in leadership positions, not an easy task in countries where women are not represented in the upper hierarchies of power. This is where governments need to step in. “There is no country where women’s leadership has increased without special measures, such as quotas. People think it is normal to be led by men only. We are finding that there is permanent affirmative action for men,” she says. A crucial element in getting women into leadership positions is encouraging and educating women to believe in other women and to vote for them, she explains, as women who are in leadership positions can be role models for other women.
Mlbambo-Ngcuka cites the example of a women’s battalion sent to Liberia to boost security there that has had a strong impact on the women of that country. “The number of women in Liberia who went into careers in the security field increased overnight,” she says, emphasizing the importance of role models.
As many more men are already in leadership positions, they can play an important role in the empowerment of women. “You need men who are gender sensitive. You need to make it a collective responsibility. Even when men have power, it should benefit both men and women,” Mlbambo-Ngcuka says.
Concerning violence against women in conflict zones, Mlbambo-Ngcuka called on the world leaders to make it their issue, pointing out that “the law enforcers are letting us down because they are not focused enough.”
Asked about the issue of Japanese military sexual slavery during World War II, Mlbambo-Ngcuka says, “It is an issue that is bigger than U.N. Women.” She adds, however, that while an international dispensation system is needed, it is important that the two countries ― Korea and Japan ― attend to the matter.
By Kim Hoo-ran (khooran@heraldcorp.com)
For the developing and underdeveloped countries around the world, investing in women brings about fundamental changes in society, Mlbambo-Ngcuka argues. “It ensures they will make contributions as citizens,” she says, explaining that countries are compromising their own development when they do not educate women.
For example, educated women means better health management of the country, as lifestyle-related illnesses can be avoided and better immunization and nutrition of children can prevent illnesses. “Education of women has multiple benefits,” Mlbambo-Ngcuka says, concluding, “It is the only sustainable way to end poverty.”
One way to ensure education for women is to have more women in leadership positions, not an easy task in countries where women are not represented in the upper hierarchies of power. This is where governments need to step in. “There is no country where women’s leadership has increased without special measures, such as quotas. People think it is normal to be led by men only. We are finding that there is permanent affirmative action for men,” she says. A crucial element in getting women into leadership positions is encouraging and educating women to believe in other women and to vote for them, she explains, as women who are in leadership positions can be role models for other women.
Mlbambo-Ngcuka cites the example of a women’s battalion sent to Liberia to boost security there that has had a strong impact on the women of that country. “The number of women in Liberia who went into careers in the security field increased overnight,” she says, emphasizing the importance of role models.
As many more men are already in leadership positions, they can play an important role in the empowerment of women. “You need men who are gender sensitive. You need to make it a collective responsibility. Even when men have power, it should benefit both men and women,” Mlbambo-Ngcuka says.
Concerning violence against women in conflict zones, Mlbambo-Ngcuka called on the world leaders to make it their issue, pointing out that “the law enforcers are letting us down because they are not focused enough.”
Asked about the issue of Japanese military sexual slavery during World War II, Mlbambo-Ngcuka says, “It is an issue that is bigger than U.N. Women.” She adds, however, that while an international dispensation system is needed, it is important that the two countries ― Korea and Japan ― attend to the matter.
By Kim Hoo-ran (khooran@heraldcorp.com)
-
Trump won't stop making a deceptive bird claim. Experts debunk it.Nuzhat’s aim: uplift women in weightliftingThe royal family just released three photographs from Princess Diana's personal album让农业文化遗产活起来、火起来、传下去!2024“村跑”Keep App线上赛邀您参加!Yoon approves labor minister's appointmentPresidential office urges swift passage of pension reform billPentagon warns N. Korea's arms support would prolong Ukraine warShoaib Malik named mentor for Stallions in Champions CupPressure boost squeezes out more hydrogen from artificial leavesMTV VMAs 2016: Britney Spears Performs 'Make Me'
上一篇:Tesla issues recall for 9,100 Model X cars
下一篇:North Korea says it conducted important test to develop multiple warhead missile
下一篇:North Korea says it conducted important test to develop multiple warhead missile
相关内容
- ·Venture Missionaries
- ·Best tablet deals as of August 27
- ·[Newsmaker] NPAD leader pledges drastic reforms
- ·Maldini confirms Giroud's Milan arrival, regrets Donnarumma exit
- ·Get Thee to Totality: Chicago
- ·Prime day deal: $50 off the Xbox Series X at Best Buy
- ·18 Unexpected Natural Wonders in Florida
- ·North Korea slams South Korea
- ·Black Friday GPU Buying Guide: November GPU Pricing Update
- ·Shoaib Malik named mentor for Stallions in Champions Cup
- ·Fitbit's new fitness trackers are all about personalization
- ·农村电商物流业务量保持高速增长!4月份中国电商物流指数发布
- ·North Korea says it conducted important test to develop multiple warhead missile
- ·Microsoft Surface Pro 11 deal: Get a free Pro keyboard
- ·Sex ed in France just got more inclusive, thanks to this 3D
- ·Shop Lenovo Yoga Book and laptops during Best Buy's Tech Fest
最新内容
- ·The Apple iPod: Pocket Music Before That Phone
- ·Russia and China primed to end Japan's reign
- ·NK preparing ICBM launch for trilateral summit: spy agency
- ·Bolt sees only tough times in Tokyo for Jamaica's men
- ·应对高温 户外驿站送清凉
- ·Nuzhat’s aim: uplift women in weightlifting
- ·Maldini confirms Giroud's Milan arrival, regrets Donnarumma exit
- ·Tablet deals at Amazon
- ·Yoon touts pension reform drive amid stagnant popularity rating
- ·The best Apple deals for August 2024: Save on AirPods Max and MacBook Air
推荐内容
热点内容
- ·雅安公安接连破获两起汉源湖非法捕捞案
- ·农村电商物流业务量保持高速增长!4月份中国电商物流指数发布
- ·Putin 'gratefully accepted' Kim's invitation to visit North Korea: Kremlin
- ·Best Kindle deal: 15% off the Amazon Kindle
- ·雨城区疾控中心提示:科学补碘 防治碘缺乏病
- ·Best tablet deals as of August 27
- ·Rights groups call for UN action to protect North Korean escapees in China
- ·Rights groups call for UN action to protect North Korean escapees in China
- ·Discover Secret Swimming Holes and Hidden History in Crystal River, Florida
- ·N. Korea's premier sends congratulatory message to new Thai leader