Out of more than 200 ambassadors in Geneva, only 42 are women. Thanks to their initiative a panel discussion "The Power of Empowered Women" was organized on the side of the 22nd session of the Human Rights Council on 26 February. The atmosphere in the Council Chamber of the Palace of Nations, fully crowded with female dominated audience, was relaxed and easygoing even though the stage was taken by 14 heroines, including H.E. Navi Pillay, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ruth Dreifuss, former President of the Swiss Confederation, Livia Jaroka, the first Romany woman in the European Parliament, and Mervat El-Tallawy, Chairwoman of the National Council of Women in Egypt.
The panelists described their own experiences as women from the perspectives of ethnic background, financial inequality, legislation and cultural and traditional values. The presentations addressed challenges faced by women in work life and as members of the society on a wide scope and in detail. As the greatest harm of gender based discrimination High Commissioner Pillay declared the immense loss of invaluable human capital around the world.
More information including a video can be found on the OHCHR website: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/
Updated 3/12/2013
