Statement by the Prime Minister at the High-level meeting of the General Assembly on the thirtieth anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women

The speech as delivered (transcribed)

Thank you, Madame Chair,

Thirty years ago, thousands met in Beijing with a shared vision:

A world where women and girls could live free from inequality, discrimination and violence.

I remember that it felt like history was being made, there and then.

At that time, I worked as an adviser to Norway’s first woman Prime Minister, Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland, who we heard this morning.

And she said at that meeting: “Women power is a formidable force”. She too remains a formidable force. Nobody has taught me more about politics and leadership than her.

The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action was a bold one.

Ambitious. And transformative.

Since then, we have seen undeniable progress:

• More girls complete secondary education.
• Fewer girls are married before the age of 18.
• Extreme poverty among women and girls is reduced.

These are significant and real steps. They are worth celebrating.

In my life time, women’s participation in the workforce has significantly increased in my country – Norway.

And this has in fact meant more for Norway economically than the revenue from our energy resources oil and gas. 

• It has boosted economic growth.
• It has given women greater financial independence. 
• And brought our society closer to realising its full potential. 

This progress has not come by itself.

It reflects choices that have been made and struggles that have been fought. Rights that have been fought for.

We have developed strong laws, made smart investments and built partnerships with employers, trade unions and civil society. 

Thanks to such measures as paid parental leave, flexible work hours and affordable childcare, both women and men can now practise their work and give priority to it.

And let me give you another illustrating example:

In Norway, women now account for roughly one third of those completing military service; up from just above 10 percent a decade ago.

So, progress is possible.

But – friends,

Despite this progress we face serious challenges.

We are witnessing a growing, coordinated backlash against women’s rights and girls’ rights, against human rights.

And especially against sexual and reproductive health and rights, and the rights of LGBTQ+ persons.

These attacks threaten the hard-won progress we have made.

It is everyone’s loss. – Because investing in gender equality makes society better.

Norway will continue to partner with the UN and civil society around the globe to ensure that women and girls have the right to decide over their own bodies.

And we will continue to call on governments to;

• close the gender pay gap,
• strengthen economic independence for women,
• and to defend rights under threat.

So, let us honour the legacy of Beijing – with attitude and action, with laws, reforms and resources, and with courage and conviction.

Thank you.