Renowned media personality and gender advocate, Josephine Oppong-Yeboah, has emphasised that the fight for gender equality should not be misconstrued as a battle between women and men.

Rather, she describes it as a shared societal responsibility to build a just and inclusive world where everyone can thrive.

According to her, misconceptions about gender equality, often viewed by some as a war waged by women against men—have hindered progress toward achieving true equity.

She believes such misunderstandings have long frustrated global efforts to promote gender balance and equal opportunities.

Ms. Oppong-Yeboah shared these thoughts in a media interview after participating in the ongoing 69th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) in New York.

The event, which runs from March 10 to 21, 2024, plays a crucial role in advocating for women’s rights, documenting their lived realities, and shaping global gender equality standards.

This year’s CSW session, themed “For All Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment,” is expected to bring together 50,000 delegates, including world leaders, gender advocates, and activists, to assess progress and address challenges in advancing gender equality.

The discussions will focus on reviewing the implementation of the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, along with the outcomes of the 23rd special session of the UN General Assembly.

Ms. Oppong-Yeboah expressed optimism that the world has made significant strides in gender advocacy and cannot afford to relent in the pursuit of equality.

She stressed that achieving gender balance would not only create a fairer society but also honour the sacrifices of those who dedicated their lives to the cause.

She was particularly encouraged by UN Secretary-General António Guterres' remarks at the conference, where he underscored the importance of collective action in overcoming setbacks and pushing forward the gender equality agenda.

According to Ms. Oppong-Yeboah, platforms like CSW69 provide critical opportunities for stakeholders to assess current obstacles, strategize on solutions, and reaffirm their commitment to empowering women and girls worldwide.

She also called on men to support the push for gender equality, emphasising that their involvement is crucial in dispelling misconceptions surrounding the issue.