Women's Empowerment and Gender Equality

Date: November 7 (Sat), 2026 13:30~17:30 (Forum) / 18:00~19:30 (Reception)

Location: United Nations University (map (Japanese))

1. Background

From Fiscal Year 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan has been implementing the Next Generation Networking Program for Gender Equality with the aim of promoting gender equality (SDG Goal 5) together with the world, especially in Asia, in cooperation with the world, thereby achieving a flexible and resilient future society that is rich in diversity and inclusivity and able to respond to new challenges. Under this program, the Ministry is working to foster young people who will lead the gender field from a long-term and practical perspective, and to build networks.

At the 1st Next Generation Forum for Gender Equality held last December under this program, panel discussions were held on the themes of "women's participation" and "gender bias (gender roles)," respectively. Very fresh and meaningful perspectives were shared by young speakers, and active discussions took place.

2. 2nd Next Generation Forum for Gender Equality

In Japan, the 6th Basic Plan for Gender Equality, which outlines policies for the next five years towards the realization of a gender-equal society, has been implemented since this year. This new plan takes into account the current social situation and anticipated changes, such as population decline, rising female employment rates, and the benefits and risks associated with the expansion in utilization of AI. It clearly states that "realizing diverse forms of well-being through the promotion of gender equality" is one of the pillars of policy, and that efforts will be made to "realize a society where everyone can choose a desired work style that is suited to their life stage" and "promote gender equality taking into consideration advances in technology and the expansion of its use."

At the United Nations, the new strategic plan (2026-2029) of UN Women, covering a four-year period from this year, is being implemented. Its priority areas are: (1) women's leadership and decision-making, (2) women's economic empowerment, (3) ending violence against women and girls, and (4) Women, Peace and Security (WPS), and humanitarian action. In connection with this strategic plan, a strategy on Preventing and eliminating technology-facilitated violence against women and girls has also been formulated.

Against this backdrop, at the Next Generation Forum for Gender Equality, UN Women executive will be welcomed as the opening keynote speaker. Based on the themes of the subsequent panel discussions, she will share international trends and challenges surrounding gender equality.

Panel Discussion 1 will focus on "Realizing Well-being through the Promotion of Gender Equality." Here, by discussing the shape of family, childcare and eldercare, working styles, career development, and gender norms that may influence such choices, taking into account international situations and initiatives by companies and local governments. The aim of discussion is to provide an opportunity for the younger generation, who will have various life choices in the future, to view gender equality as an issue directly related to their own well-being and to consider what kind of society they want to create for the future.

Panel Discussion 2 will address "Gender Equality in the Digital Age." The utilization of digital opportunities and responses to digital risks for the realization of gender equality are themes that have been actively discussed internationally recently, starting with discussions at the G7 and OECD under the French presidency this year. In particular, for the younger generation who have been familiar with digital technology since childhood, online violence, prejudice, and risks through AI and SNS are likely to be more immediate issues. At the same time, the efficiency of life and improvement of working environments through the use of digital technology are important for increasing life choices, as discussed in Panel Discussion 1. Here, young people will creatively discuss the creation of opportunities through the use of digital technology, the promotion and elimination of prejudice and discrimination, and measures to ensure that everyone benefits, from a youth perspective.

Furthermore, in the reporting session, those who have been dispatched to overseas research institutions and international conferences under the Next Generation Networking Program for Gender Equality will speak about the trends in international gender research and discussions they grasped through their dispatches, and the significance of building networks with overseas research institutions and conference participants.

This forum aims to help young participants, both male and female, understand, think about, and act on gender equality as a common issue both domestically and internationally, taking into account their immediate concerns and future plans, while also considering international initiatives. It is expected that by reflecting a gender perspective in various policies through the activities of these young people in the private sector, academia, civil society organizations, central and local government agencies, and international organizations in the future, it will contribute to the promotion of SDGs and a gender-equal society both domestically and internationally.

13:00～13:30 Registration

19:30 End

Online registration for the 2nd Next Generation forum for Gender Equality is available until October 15 (Thu). If there are excessive number of applicants, we may determine audience by lot.

Please make sure to show your registration completion email on your smartphone or bring a printout of the email at the registration desk along with your photo ID. Please note that the registration completion email is different from the [Application Received] email.

• 2nd Next Generation Forum for Gender Equality General Audience Registration Form