Remarks by Dr. Toshiko Abe, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, at 9 th Regional Women Ministers and Parliamentarians Conference on Gender Equality and the Post-2015 Development Agenda Seoul, Republic of Korea Hon. Kang Chang Hee, Hon. Mr. Ju Young Lee, Hon. Prof. P.J. Kurien, Ladies and gentlemen, It is a great pleasure and honour to speak a few words on behalf of the Government of Japan. I would like to welcome the holding of this important conference on population and women s empowerment. Japan has been actively working on these issues. I am pleased that Japan funded this conference through the Japan Trust Fund for Supporting Inter-country NGO Activities established within UNFPA. 1
I would like to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt gratitude for those who helped make this project possible. My particular gratefulness goes to the co-host, the Korean Parliamentary League on Children, Population and Environment (CPE) and the Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (AFPPD). Japan has been exerting every effort to promote human security. Human security aims at the realization of a society where people can live in dignity, enjoy freedom from fear and want, and fully develop their innate potential. In a world of 7 billion people, it has become ever more challenging to tackle issues such as poverty, food security, energy security, environment and employment. This raises difficult challenges on how to enable people to live in dignity, while achieving sustainable development without exceeding the Earth s finite capacity. 2
The ability of women to control their own fertility is absolutely fundamental to women s empowerment and human security. Yet, today, an estimated 222 million women in developing countries have an unmet need for family planning. Every year, 75 million unintended pregnancies occur and more than 250,000 women die from complications during pregnancy or childbirth. Moreover, two thirds of the world s illiterate adults are female and over 65% of its poorest people are women and girls. With three years left for the 2015 deadline, these are just a few examples of how women are faring in global progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). 3
Reproductive health and women s empowerment all powerfully affect and are influenced by population trends. These interrelated challenges will require a sustained and long-term response at national, regional and global levels, where parliamentarians, as representatives of their people, can play a vital role. One of the critical challenges for women s empowerment is their political representation. On this challenge, I, as a member of House of Representatives of Japan, feel a special responsibility. Japan was ranked only the 110th out of 135 countries in political empowerment of women, according to the report of the World Economic Forum. Yet, I am heartened by the fact that women are making real advances worldwide. Here in the Republic of Korea, the first female president has just been inaugurated. Our African friends, Lesotho and South Africa ranked within top 20 in overall gender gap index. 4
I am convinced that this conference will give a further impetus for the empowerment of women. On the part of Japan, we will continue our efforts to establish an effective post-2015 development agenda based on human security, which fully addresses the issues of gender equality and women s empowerment. In conclusion, with your dedication and leadership on these issues, I trust that today s conference will mark an important step in resolving our common challenges and moving toward a more equitable and sustainable world. Thank you. 5