Gender parity still “decades away” in public life: UN development chief

Gender parity for leadership roles in public life across the world is still “decades away,” according to the head of the UN Development Programme (UNDP). Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Helen Clark said that the slow pace of progress towards a position where top jobs are held equally between men and women was unacceptable. Susan Meyers, Senior Vice President of the UN Foundation, asked Ms Clark if the UN and other institutions were pushing hard enough on gender equality.

Muslim women should be more “visible” in the media

Muslim women are especially prone to hate crimes and should become more “visible” in the media to make their voices heard. That’s the view of Zarqa Nawaz, a filmmaker and writer who spoke recently at a UN forum on combating anti-Muslim discrimination and hatred.

People need to be valued regardless of their identity

Regardless of their gender identity, people need to be valued and included in development activities, according to a representative from UN Women in Bangladesh. Raising awareness about gender equality, Christine Hunter stated that gender is still understood as physically determined, leading to the discrimination of the transgender community in Bangladesh who are also called “Hijras.” Priyanka Shankar has been speaking to Ms Hunter about this.

Presenter: Dianne Penn

Production Assistant: Sandra Guy

Duration: 10'00″