“No country can ever truly flourish if it stifles the potential of its women and deprives itself of the contributions of half of its citizens” – Michelle Obama

On Saturday October 20, 2018, IBSA proudly presents to you the Third Annual Model United Nations (MUN) Debate on the topic:

Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment

Despite their contributions to the family and society, "all too often, women and girls are discriminated against in health, education and the labour market with negative repercussions for their freedom". Women still do not have equal access to rights, services and opportunities i.e. equal pay and decent work, property and inheritance rights, access and control of land including financial services and credit.

Gender equality speaks to the different behaviour, aspirations and needs of women and men being considered, valued and favoured equally. It does not mean that women and men have to become the same, but that their rights, responsibilities and opportunities will not depend on whether they are born male or female. Whilst women’s empowerment is the process in which women elaborate and recreate what it is that they can be, do, and accomplish in circumstances that they previously were denied. It is showing and encouraging women that they have the power and ability to live their lives in the way they wish, and in allowing women to do so, there will be a positive outcome.

During this Model United Nations Debate and Discussion, students will have an opportunity to use this educational simulation activity to delve into the world of diplomacy, and international relations, by acting in the role of a delegate for a country or international organization and investigating the country’s or agencies’ position on how the current topic is impacting the international community.

Join us on October 20th at 2:00 pm at the Sanjiang Building, room 1301, as we discuss a phenomenon that is affecting the world.