Date: Tuesday, 23 July 2024
Beijing, China — On 19 July, thirty communication professionals from thirteen United Nations (UN) agencies, funds, and programmes in China participated in a capacity development session on “Gender-Responsive Communications” hosted by UN Women in collaboration with the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) in Beijing.
The session, led by Diego De La Rosa, Communications Specialist at the UN Women Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, underscored the necessity of incorporating gender perspectives into all communications strategies. Highlighting pivotal milestones such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, De La Rosa emphasized the foundational role these documents play in advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment globally.
Key takeaways included the need to showcase women in communications effectively, ensure equal representation, and portray all genders respectfully. The session advocated for using gender-sensitive language, challenging stereotypes, and promoting equal visibility for both women and men in all roles, particularly in leadership positions. Furthermore, it stressed the importance of reflecting diverse aspects of identity, including socio-economic background, ethnicity, disability, and sexual orientation, in all communication materials.
“Integrating gender responsiveness into our communications is not optional; it is essential for achieving genuine equality and justice,” remarked Louise Xi Li, Head of Communications at UN RCO China. “Today’s session illustrates the UN Communications Group’s commitment to being both effective and gender-responsive in our work.”
Wenting Zhao, UN Women China Communications Specialist, added, “Gender-responsive communications amplify the voices of women and girls, challenge existing stereotypes, and lay the groundwork for a more equitable future. This is a critical step towards achieving gender equality and empowering all individuals.”
The session also included a briefing on the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, alongside a discussion on UN Women’s global campaign related to the Paris 2024 Olympics. This was part of a broader capacity development mission by the UN Women Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, which featured additional sessions on storytelling, social media, and gender-responsive communications strategies for UN Women China staff and stakeholders from media, public relations agencies, and cultural institutions.