Press Releases
Video Message by Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan for International Women’s Day
March 8, 2024
On March 8th, Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, delivered a video message for International Women’s Day. The overview of the message is as follows.
- It is my sincere pleasure to celebrate with you this memorable day for women all over the world.
- However, discrimination and violence against women, as well as economic disparities between men and women still widely exist across global society. Especially during conflicts and disasters, vulnerable people such as women and children are severely affected.
- I visited Ukraine and Poland this January and witnessed the lives of women and children who were forced to evacuate. I am determined that we must bring about "reintegration" for families, communities, and the entire nationals in Ukraine who have been separated.
- Women, Peace and Security (WPS), which I am promoting, is an initiative to build a diverse society and achieve sustainable peace through women’s participation in a leading role in peacebuilding and disaster reconstruction processes. I believe it is one of my missions to advance diplomacy with WPS perspectives.
- Let us work together to achieve a world without conflict, and a society where "no one is left behind. "
(Reference1) Video message scripts
Video message scripts in English (PDF) and Japanese (PDF)
(Reference2) Women, Peace and Security (WPS)
In 2000, for the first time in its history, the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted “Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Resolution 1325,” which clearly stated that international peace, conflict prevention and conflict resolution require the equal participation of women, protection from sexual violence in conflict, and gender equality. To implement this and relevant resolutions, Japan has formulated and implemented three national action plans.