Strengthening Gender Equality: UN Women's Sima Bahous Visits Japan to Foster Partnerships

Sima Bahous, the UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women, embarked on a crucial visit to Japan from December 9 to 12, following an invitation from the Japanese government. Her visit occurs at a pivotal time where worldwide advocacy for women's rights is encountering significant pushback, highlighting Japan's increasing leadership in championing gender equality and women's empowerment.

During her stay, Bahous engaged in numerous discussions with a variety of partners to confirm the strong collaboration between Japan and UN Women, solidifying their mutual commitment to expedite efforts toward the Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5) ahead of 2030. She delivered a keynote address at Japan’s inaugural Next Generation Forum for Gender Equality, a government initiative aimed at motivating youth to engage in the pursuit of gender equality. In her speech, she emphasized the crucial role of young leaders, stating, “We will not achieve the world we aspire to while inequality remains our reality. I have faith that you possess the power to ensure a gender-equal world within your lifetimes.” This message underscores the transformative potential youth hold in driving change.

On her agenda, Bahous also met with high-ranking officials, including Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi. Their conversations reinforced shared priorities, such as women's economic empowerment and the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda, where Japan has been playing an influential role on the international stage. A discussion with Hitoshi Kikawada, the Minister for Women's Empowerment, revolved around Japan’s Sixth Basic Plan for Gender Equality and the imperative to bolster women’s leadership in both public and private sectors.

A significant highlight of Bahous’ visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) with Akihiko Tanaka, President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). This groundbreaking MOC marks the first formal collaboration at the organizational level between UN Women and JICA, committing them to work closely on development cooperation while embedding gender equality and women's empowerment within Japan’s international assistance, particularly in fragile and crisis-affected contexts.

Bahous also had the opportunity to converse with members of Japan's National Diet who are part of the Parliamentary League for the International Promotion of Women’s Active Role and the WPS Parliamentarian Network Japan. This dialogue re-emphasized the vital role of legislators in advancing the women’s empowerment agenda and implementing the WPS agenda while acknowledging Japan’s contributions as a co-chair of the WPS Focal Points Network—a global platform for accountability and coordination.

Her visit to Bunkyo City Mayor Hironobu Narisawa—where the UN Women Japan Liaison Office is situated—was another important interaction. She expressed gratitude for Bunkyo’s long-standing support for UN Women while also underscoring the necessity of collaboration between local governments and international organizations in nurturing inclusive and sustainable societies.

In addition to governmental meetings, Bahous convened a Business Leaders Dialogue with executives from major companies operating in Japan, including IKEA Japan, Cartier Japan, Shiseido, and Unicharm, among others. This dialogue emphasized the private sector's pivotal role in establishing inclusive workplaces and advancing global initiatives like the Women’s Empowerment Principles and HeForShe.

As one of the top ten global partners for UN Women, Japan plays a significant role in advancing women’s rights across various contexts, including development, humanitarian efforts, and peacebuilding. Bahous’ visit elucidated the extensive and impactful partnership between Japan and UN Women—spanning international policy leadership to local grassroots action. As Japan continues to support women and girls impacted by crises in regions like Afghanistan and the Middle East, this visit also reiterated a shared commitment to multilateralism and inclusive leadership.

Reflecting on her visit, Bahous remarked, “It was an honor to open the first-ever Next Generation Forum for Gender Equality in Tokyo; an inspiring space where young leaders are shaping the future we all strive for. Together, UN Women and Japan are advancing gender equality and promoting women’s peace and security globally. As we approach the final five years of the Agenda 2030, we are eager to deepen this vital partnership and hasten the transformative changes that women and girls truly deserve.”