Why is female empowerment important?

By Sonia Garza

Although many may think so, gender equality and women's empowerment are not fashionable issues, since these concepts have been discussed since the last century, but placing them on the international public agenda meant that the States Parties understood the importance of designing and implementing the necessary measures to address the various problems faced by half of the population.  

In the context of the creation of UN Women, which emerged in 2010, the expression "empowerment" took on greater force to refer to the promotion of women's participation in decision-making in all areas of development. From the struggle for suffrage to contemporary movements for gender equality, the role of women in society has been the subject of debate and vindication. 

Despite the instruments that recognize our rights, a huge gap persists between commitments and actions. In light of the valuable advances, we must recognize, analyze and combat setbacks, so women's empowerment remains an issue to work on at the forefront.