Minister’s Message on International Women’s Day 2020

March 8, 2020

HASHIMOTO Seiko
Minister in Charge of Women’s Empowerment
Minister of State for Gender Equality

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, I would like to convey my sincere respect and gratitude for the efforts and enthusiasm of all those who strive for gender equality and women’s empowerment on a daily basis, and to celebrate this day with you all.

This year 2020, in which Tokyo will host the Olympic and Paralympic games, will be held, is a milestone year for gender equality and women’s empowerment as we mark “Beijing+25”, the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action at the Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995.

More than 50,000 people from around the world gathered at that conference in 1995, united in their desire to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment. I was among them as a member of the House of Councillors, and taking part in the conference as a member of the Japanese delegation, I recall being struck by the passion of people from around the globe. Twenty-five years later, it is a tremendous honor to mark “Beijing+25” as the Minister in charge of Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment. I will proactively strive to fulfil the aims of the UN’s “Generation Equality” campaign.

Japan has accomplished a certain level of progress through various initiatives such as the enactment and revision of the Act on the Promotion of Female Participation and Career Advancement in the Workplace. However, a number of issues remain—including a relatively low proportion of women in the decision-making process, gender stereotypes, and violence against women which is an intolerable infringement of human rights. We need to speed up efforts to resolve these problems.

In the 2020 fiscal year we plan to develop a new Basic Plan for Gender Equality. Since being appointed as minister, I have exchanged opinions with many women in a variety of settings. I would like the new Basic Plan to be one that clearly reflects these views and reinforces gender equality and women’s empowerment initiatives.

I pledge to make every effort to achieve a society in which human rights of all women and men are respected, and all women and men can express their individuality and exercise their abilities to the full.