Media personality and gender advocate Josephine Oppong-Yeboah has emphasised that gender equality is not a battle between women and men but a shared responsibility to build a fair and inclusive society where everyone can thrive.

She noted that misconceptions often frame gender equality as a conflict between the sexes, which has hindered progress towards true equity.

According to her, these misunderstandings continue to slow global efforts to achieve gender balance and equal opportunities for all.

Ms Oppong-Yeboah shared these thoughts in a media interview after participating in the ongoing 69th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) in New York.

The event, running from 10 to 21 March 2024, plays a crucial role in advocating for women’s rights, documenting their lived realities, and shaping global gender equality standards.

This year’s CSW session, themed “For All Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.”, is expected to bring together 50,000 delegates, including world leaders, gender advocates, and activists, to assess progress and address challenges in advancing gender equality.

Discussions will focus on reviewing the implementation of the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, alongside the outcomes of the 23rd special session of the UN General Assembly.

Ms Oppong-Yeboah expressed optimism that the world has made significant strides in gender advocacy and cannot afford to relent in the pursuit of equality.

She stressed that achieving gender balance would not only create a fairer society but also honour the sacrifices of those who dedicated their lives to the cause.

She was particularly encouraged by UN Secretary-General António Guterres' remarks at the conference, where he underscored the importance of collective action in overcoming setbacks and advancing the gender equality agenda.

According to Ms Oppong-Yeboah, platforms like CSW69 provide vital opportunities for stakeholders to assess current challenges, strategise on solutions, and reaffirm their commitment to empowering women and girls worldwide.

She also called on men to support the push for gender equality, emphasising that their involvement is crucial in dispelling misconceptions surrounding the issue.