MEETING: UN Women Executive Director Michelle Bachelet Visits Panama

Source: 
UN Women
Duration: 
Thursday, April 14, 2011 - 20:00
Countries: 
Americas
Central America
South America
PeaceWomen Consolidated Themes: 
General Women, Peace and Security
Participation
Human Rights
Initiative Type: 
Conferences & Meetings

During her visit to Panama 16-17 April, UN Women Executive Director Michelle Bachelet will participate in the meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) General Assembly. Ms. Bachelet will also meet with the President of Panama and Panamanian women's organizations.

Panama—The United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of the newly established UN Women, Michelle Bachelet, will visit Panama from 16 to 17 April to participate as a special guest of the 124th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentarian Union (IPU), which will be held in the country from 15 to 20 April. The main theme of this year's IPU General debate is Parliamentary accountability: living up to people's expectations. This is Ms. Bachelet's first official visit to Panama as the Under-Secretary-General and first Executive Director of UN Women.

Ms. Bachelet will give the keynote address at the plenary session of the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly on Saturday 16 April and stress the importance of leadership and political participation of women. With 600 members of IPU in attendance — both women and men, representing 120 countries — this is an opportunity to address the challenges facing women's rights, and the actions needed to accelerate gender equality around the world.

During her stay in Panama, Ms. Bachelet will meet Ricardo Martinelli, the President of Panama, as well as other high ranking government officials, women leaders working in different sectors, civil society members, including the Network of women of African descent, as well as the national coordinator of Indigenous Women of Panama (CONAMUIP). On Sunday, she will give a lecture entitled “Full Citizenship of Women for Democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean” at an event hosted by the National Women's Institute (INAMU).

Ms. Bachelet's visit and the various meetings and consultations planned confirm the commitment of UN Women and the United Nations System to continued strong efforts towards gender equality and the full enjoyment of women's rights.

Ms. Bachelet's participation at the IPU Assembly will be broadcast live on 16 April, 10:30-11:15 am, at: http://bit.ly/BacheletIPUAssembly and Ms. Bachelet's keynote address “Building Gender Equality and Women Empowerment” on 17 April, 11:30a.m-12:30 pm, at: http://bit.ly/BacheletPanamaVisit (Panamanian time).

For more information on UN Women, please visit: www.unwomen.org.