The 2024 Equality Group – A Week of Engagement and Inspiration in Paris

The 2024 Equality Group – A Week of Engagement and Inspiration in Paris

2025-02-01 17:03:00

2025-03-17 16:13:30

2025-01-03 13:06:02

The Equality Group’s Journey in France From November 25 to 29, 2024, as part of the Future Leaders Invitation Program (PIPA), five women leaders from the Asia-Oceania region participated in an immersion week in France dedicated to promoting gender equality. The objective of this week was to highlight challenges related to three main themes: combating gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive rights, and professional equality and female entrepreneurship. The participants engaged in institutional meetings, field visits, and cultural discoveries.Outstanding leadersMs. Lida Loem (Cambodia): Co-founder of SHE Investments, a social enterprise that supports women entrepreneurs by offering acceleration programs, business incubators, and training in digital and financial management.Ms. Daisy Qiu (China): President of ShePower, the largest professional training platform for women in China, providing online and in-person programs, personalized coaching, and networking opportunities.Ms. Elisha Bano (Fiji): Founder of Act It Network, a collective of artists using art as a means of expression and awareness, addressing topics such as gender-based violence and social justice.Ms. Asuka Someya (Japan): Founder of PILCON, a nonprofit organization promoting sexual education and awareness of reproductive rights in Japan.Ms. Myra Labiche (Seychelles): Active member of the local branch of Soroptimists, involved in breast cancer prevention programs, professional reintegration of incarcerated women, and support for vulnerable women.(From left to right) Ms. Myra Labiche, Ms. Asuka Someya, Ms. Elisha Bano, Ms. Mathilde Amouroux (interpreter), Ms. Lida Loem, and Ms. Daisy QiuInstitutional meetings and feminist diplomacyThe program began with discussions at the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs with Ms. Delphine O, Secretary-General of the Generation Equality Forum. The participants explored France’s strategy for promoting gender equality through feminist diplomacy, including commitments such as allocating 75% of official development assistance to gender equality projects by 2025.Participants of the Equality Group 2024 during a meeting with Delphine O and Marie Soulié at the Ministry.On November 28, a roundtable at the Center for Analysis, Planning, and Strategy (CAPS) allowed participants to exchange insights with policy officers on local contexts and specific challenges related to gender equality in their respective countries.Participants of the group during a roundtable discussion at the Ministry with policy officers from Asia, Multilateral Affairs, and Latin America.A promising conclusionDuring a debriefing session on a Seine River cruise, participants reflected on their experiences and expressed their gratitude for the quality of the program. Between inspiring institutional discussions, field visits, and cultural discoveries, this immersion highlighted the importance of feminist diplomacy and international commitments to gender equality.Participants left with concrete tools, valuable connections, and renewed ambition for their actions in their respective countries. This program demonstrates PIPA and CAPS's commitment to promoting gender equality and women's rights.

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