Remarks by Jean Kamau, UN Resident at the International Women's Day staff film screening

Good afternoon colleagues. 

Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedules to join today’s event. There is a lot happening everyday at UN House but it is important to sometimes pause and celebrate progress, reflect on ongoing challenges, and recommit ourselves to advancing our priorities such as gender equality and women’s empowerment. And for those who are working on gender-based issues everyday, sessions like these helps us to not feel alone and mobilise support. 

On this International Women’s Day, we recognize thirty years of progress and achievement since the landmark United Nations conference in Beijing. This transformed the rights of women – and reaffirmed those rights as human rights.

Across the world, women and girls continue to break barriers, challenge norms, and push for their rightful place in leadership, the economy, and society. Yet, disparities persist—whether in wages, safety, access to education, or representation.

Today, we come together not just to watch a film, but to engage in an important dialogue. Film is a powerful medium. It brings stories to life, challenges perceptions, and compels us to see the world through another lens. The film we are about to watch is a conversation starter, an invitation to reflect. I encourage each of you to think critically about the themes, the struggles depicted, and the resilience of the characters. 

How do these stories reflect the realities in our own communities and even families? What more can we do to create a society where every woman and girl feel protected, can thrive, lead, and live free from discrimination and violence? I hope we will all feel more encouraged after today’s session to continue our fight for gender equality and really protect children. 

Thank you and enjoy the film.