UN Women Executive Director Michelle Bachelet addressed more than 900 people about Gender Equality and Women’s Rights. She spotlighted remarkable Australian women in her address to more than at the ANU by thanking forerunners like Henrietta Dugdale and her friends, for being the first women in the world granted the right to run for Parliament in South Australian in1895. In every region, the struggle for equality continues.

The event was hosted by AUSAID and the ANU Gender Institute. UN Women was created in 2010 to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment. It was established with support from women’s groups and UN Members States, and with high hopes for greater progress for women the world over.

Michelle Bachelet is the first Under Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of UN Women. In 2006, Ms Bachelet was the first woman elected President of the Republic of Chile. She held this office for four years, serving her full term and a popular leader. In 2011, the United Nations Secretary General appointed her to lead the newly created United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, UN Women. This lecture will be the only public event during Ms Bachelet’s brief visit to Australia.

Starting its operations in January 2011, UN Women’s mandate is to accelerate global promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women. Over many decades, the United Nations has made significant progress in advancing gender equality, yet gender inequalities remain deeply entrenched in every society. Women lack access to decent work and face occupational segregation and gender wage gaps. They are too often denied access to basic education and health care. Women in all parts of the world suffer violence and discrimination. They are under represented in political and economic decision-making processes.

Ms Bachelet’s lecture discussed the status of women worldwide and provide insight into UN Women. It will be a unique opportunity to hear what UN women is doing to advance women’s empowerment and gender equality, and its priorities to advance women’s leadership, economic empowerment and to end violence against women.