8 Women

The “Power of Women” has the greatest potential that has not yet been fully mobilized both in Japan and abroad. By promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women, and thereby enabling women to give full play to their capabilities, is vital toward revitalizing the economy and society as a whole, as well as realizing “building back better” under the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic. In light of the vulnerable position that women are placed in situations of conflict, it is also important for Japan to prevent the use of sexual violence as a weapon in conflicts, and to contribute actively to international efforts to protect the human rights of women and promote the provision of relief and assistance to women. Going forward, Japan will continue to contribute to the realization of gender equality and the promotion of women's empowerment while hosting international conferences on women and vigorously promoting assistance to developing countries through cooperation with other countries and international organizations.

(1) G20 Riyadh Summit

At the session on “Building an Inclusive, Sustainable, and Resilient Future” at the G20 Riyadh Summit held in November, Prime Minister Suga expressed that Japan welcomes the commencement of concrete actions of “EMPOWER,” the Private Sector Alliance for the Empowerment and Progression of Women's Economic Representation in leadership positions. The launch of this initiative was welcomed by leaders at the G20 Osaka Summit held under Japan's presidency.

(2) International Cooperation for the Empowerment of Women in Developing Countries

In May 2016, Prime Minister Abe announced the “Development Strategy for Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment,” formulated as one of the new thematic policies under the Development Cooperation Charter, and declared that measures would be implemented to train about 5,000 female government administrative officials and to improve the learning environment for about 50,000 girls over the three years from 2016 to 2018. This was steadily implemented. At the 3rd WAW! held in December 2016, Prime Minister Abe promised to provide support amounting to more than 3 billion US dollars for women in developing countries until 2018, with a focus on the following: (1) promoting women's and girls' rights; (2) creating an enabling environment for women and girls to reach their full potential; and (3) advancing women's leadership in politics, economy and other public fields. These measures were also steadily implemented. At the 5th WAW!, held in March 2019, Prime Minister Abe affirmed his pledge to provide high-quality education and career development opportunities to at least 4 million women and girls over the three years between 2018 and 2020 as a means to expand educational opportunities for women in developing countries.

(3) Initiatives in the UN

A United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)

The 64th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW64) was held in March on a much smaller scale for a significantly reduced duration, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Opening statements were presented by the CSW64 chair, the Executive Director of UN Women and others, and political declarations, various resolutions and the agenda for the 65th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women were adopted. However, there were no opportunities for member states to present their remarks, including statements.

B UN Women

Japan has been strengthening cooperation with UN Women along with increasing its contribution of approximately 2 million US dollars in 2013 to approximately 22 million US dollars in 2020. In particular, in the Middle East, such as Egypt, Iraq and Jordan, as well as conflict-stricken countries in Africa that include Nigeria, Niger and South Sudan, Japan provides economic empowerment support through the creation of employment and vocational training, raising awareness toward women's rights and the eradication of violence against women, and psychological and social support, as civil war and other factors in these regions have placed women and girls, who became refugees or internally displaced persons (IDPs), in vulnerable economic and social situations. Moreover, to prevent violent extremism, Japan supports efforts to build resilient communities through women's empowerment, as well as efforts to encourage women's participation in both peacebuilding and in the peace and reconciliation process in Lebanon and Sri Lanka. On January 7, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Omi visited New York, where she engaged in discussions with UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka on cooperation between UN Women and the Government of Japan toward women's empowerment.

Meeting between UN Women Executive Director Mlambo-Ngcuka and Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Omi (January 7, New York)

C Dealing with Sexual Violence

Sexual violence is used as a tactic of war which cannot be overlooked. It is vital to put an end to impunity and to support victims of violence. Japan has been actively engaging in efforts to ensure that the 21st century is a world where women do not suffer violation of human rights. Japan places importance on cooperating with international organizations that include the UN Action and Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict (SRSG-SVC), as well as participating in international discussions.

In 2020, Japan provided financial support of approximately 1.09 million US dollars to the Office of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, contributing to strengthening the police and judicial capabilities, as well as the development of support systems for victims of sexual violence in conflicts, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia, Central Africa, Mali, Nigeria and South Sudan. In 2020, Japan contributed 2 million Euros to the Global Survivors Fund (GSF), founded by 2018 Nobel Peace Prize laureates Dr. Denis Mukwege and Ms. Nadia Murad for survivors of sexual violence in conflicts. Japan also participates actively in GSF as a member of the Board. Furthermore, Japan continues to make voluntary contributions to the Trust Fund for Victims of the International Criminal Court (ICC), earmarking approximately 650,000 Euros out of a cumulative contribution of about 850,000 Euros for victims of sexual violence. Efforts are also being made to protect victims of such violence.

D Women, Peace and Security (WPS)

Japan formulated a national action plan (NAP) in 2015 to implement UN Security Council resolution 1325 and other related resolutions on women, peace and security (WPS). In March 2019, Japan launched the revised second version of NAP. In accordance with the NAP, Japan has contributed to advancing the WPS agenda in the Middle East, Africa and Asia through various financial contributions to international organizations, mainly UN Women and the UN Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict. Japan also compiles a report for the monitoring and evaluation of implementation of NAP, which is published on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The G7 Women, Peace and Security Partnerships Initiative was established at the 2018 G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting in Toronto. With Sri Lanka as its partner country, Japan has supported the implementation of the WPS agenda including formulating a NAP on the WPS of Sri Lanka since 2019, as well as the economic empowerment project for female headed households, including conflict-affected widows. In December 2020, a dialogue was held between the evaluation committee for the NAP and civic society. During the same month, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Uto delivered a video message at an International Conference on WPS hosted by Viet Nam, where he noted Japan's initiatives at home and abroad for the implementation of the NAP on WPS.

E Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women

Since 1987, Japan has continued to provide members for the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), which comprises 23 independent experts. Professor Akizuki Hiroko of Asia University was elected to a member of the CEDAW at its member election held in 2018.