Sweden

Today, I would like to focus on one key area. It is an area where progress is still very slow. But since it affects ha l f of the world's population and ha l f of the world's human resources, it is of crucial importance. I am referring to maybe the most important human rights failure of all. At least the one that affects the largest number of human beings. I am referring to the unmet human, economic and social rights for 3.5 billion women and girls. They make up half of the world. But they are not allowed to fulfil their potential as powerful drivers of economic development as well as of peace and security. Let me just fill you in on the situation we have today: Women perform 66 percent of the world's work and produce 50 percent of the food. But they earn only 10 per cent of the income and own I percent of the property. 70 per cent of the world's poor population are women or girls. Every day, approximately 1000 women die from causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. That adds up to about 350 000 deaths each year. We were this week witnessing a historic step in the history of the United Nation, as the Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff as the first woman ever opened the General Debate. At the same time, standing here, mid-20 I I , there are still countries who do not allow women to vote. And in only 28 countries has women' s parliamentary representation reached a critical mass of 30 percent or more. Only 19 women are leading their countries as elected heads of state or government. And this is not fair. I t is not just. And it makes no sense. Mr. President. To me, gender equality is first and foremost a question of ensuring equal rights for women and men.

And at the end of the spectrum, women are subject to gender-based violence and rape as a weapon of war. But shortfalls in these rights are not only the loss of the women affected. They are a loss to society as a whole. And I can tell you: This is very bad economic policy for the countries concerned. Not least in these times of global economic crisis, it seems obvious that we must realize the full potential of all human resources. I will give you a few examples. Closing the gap between male and female employment rates would have huge implications for the global economy. It would boost American GDP by as much as 9 per cent, Euro-zone GDP by 13 percent and Japanese GDP by 16 per cent. But increased gender equality does not only have immediate economic benefits. It's also an investment for the future. Evidence from a range of countries is clear. When women take greater control of the household income, more money is spent on the children's needs - such as food, health and education. The children grow taller, are less ill and get better jobs. Moreover, when women take greater part in society - by shaping institutions or taking leading roles in politics or business life - there are clear improvements for the public good and less corruption. When they are present at the building of peace, results improve. In short, I see gender equality not only as a crucial human rights issue, but also a question of smart economics. I would urge all representatives sitting in this room: Imagine what i t would mean in terms of economic growth for your countries if women were allowed to fully participate in society.