UN Women prioritises gender parity in politics
Thursday, April 14, 2016

Karin Fueg
UN Women country programme manager, Karin Fueg reiterated the need for gender parity in development.
The agency has the mandate to coordinate gender equality and women empowerment within the UN and support member states to advance the same. Like other commentators before her, the UN official said it is a concern that while the country fares well in other sectors, women political participation was lagging behind.
While every citizen, including the Head of State, has the right to voice opinions, the tone and context of the President’s comments were regrettably dismissive and risk chilling free expression in our country. The remarks are not isolated. They form part of a disturbing pattern of public attacks on independent institutions pillars essential to the healthy functioning of our democracy. The Judiciary, the Legislature, and now the media have all...