Panel Discussion on ‘Harnessing Technology for Gender Equality’ on the Sidelines of the 52nd session of Human Rights Council
On 9 March 2023, the Permanent Mission of Malaysia to the UN Geneva, together with the Permanent Mission of Australia to the UN Geneva co-organised a Panel Discussion on ‘Harnessing Technology for Gender Equality’ which was held online via Twitter Space. The event was supported by the UN Women and the University for Peace.
The theme of the event draws from this year’s theme for International Women’s Day on “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality”. The main objective of the panel discussion is to provide a platform to exchange views on the benefits and risks of technology for the achievement of gender equality.
The event began with the opening remarks by Ms Adriana Quiñones, Head of Human Rights and Development at UN Women Geneva. The panel discussion was then moderated by Ambassador David Fernandez Puyana from the University for Peace, with three panellists, namely Ms. Sulyna Abdullah of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Ms. Kelly Tallon of the Australian eSafety Office, and Ms. Lennise Ng, Co-Founder and CEO of Dropee Malaysia and who is also the UNCTAD eTrade for Women Advocate.
Panellists shared the many intersections of gender equality and technology in the realisation of the human rights of women and girls as well as in achieving gender equality, through increased connectivity and opportunities in education and employment. In order to fully harness the benefits of technology for gender equality, the panellists emphasised the need for political will and the importance to strengthen partnership among all actors including with the private sectors. Most importantly, it would be vital to translate policy commitments into practical digital adoption that meets the need of women at the grassroot level.
The panel discussion is among the initiatives undertaken by Malaysia in delivering its pledges as an elected member of the Human Rights Council (2022-2024), whereby among others, Malaysia is committed to collaborating with UN Member States and other partners in advancing the rights of women, including through the enhancement of women’s digital literacy.
