Angola has made significant progress in promoting gender equality since the last evaluation of the Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action, according to Esmeralda Mendonça, Angola’s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. Speaking at the high-level panel of the 58th session of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva, Switzerland, Mendonça highlighted Angola’s alignment with the African common position on human rights, which outlines the continent’s priorities for the next cycle of implementing these critical documents.

The session, themed "Thirtieth Anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action," brought together over 100 representatives from UN Member States, including prominent figures such as Jürg Lauber, President of the Human Rights Council; Philemon Yang, President of the UN General Assembly; António Guterres, UN Secretary-General; Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights; and the Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland, representing the host country.

Mendonça underscored Angola’s progress in advancing women’s representation in leadership roles, noting that the country has achieved historic milestones in gender parity. For the first time, women occupy key public positions, including the Vice-Presidency of the Republic, the Speakership of the National Assembly, the Presidency of the Constitutional Court, and the leadership of the Ombuds Office. These achievements reflect Angola’s commitment to creating an inclusive and equitable society where women can actively participate in decision-making processes.

Despite these advancements, Mendonça acknowledged that challenges remain in fully realizing gender equality. She reiterated Angola’s unwavering commitment to the principles of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, emphasizing the importance of integrating gender perspectives into national policies and programs. The Secretary of State also praised the pivotal role of UN Women in supporting global efforts to achieve gender equality and in aligning these efforts with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Angola’s progress in gender equality is part of a broader continental movement toward empowering women and girls across Africa. The African common position on human rights, which Angola has endorsed, prioritizes addressing systemic barriers to gender equality, such as limited access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. By aligning with this framework, Angola aims to strengthen its national policies and contribute to regional and global efforts to promote women’s rights.

The 58th session of the HRC provided a platform for member states to reflect on the progress made since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration in 1995 and to identify areas requiring further action. Mendonça’s address highlighted Angola’s dedication to advancing gender equality not only within its borders but also as part of its international obligations. She called for continued collaboration among UN member states, civil society organizations, and development partners to address persistent gender disparities and ensure that women and girls can fully realize their potential.

As Angola continues to implement reforms aimed at promoting gender equality, the government remains focused on addressing structural challenges, including gender-based violence, unequal access to resources, and underrepresentation in certain sectors. Mendonça emphasized the importance of sustained investment in education, healthcare, and economic empowerment programs to create an enabling environment for women and girls.

In closing, Mendonça reaffirmed Angola’s commitment to working with the international community to achieve the goals outlined in the Beijing Declaration and the 2030 Agenda. She expressed optimism that, through collective action and shared responsibility, significant progress can be made in advancing gender equality and ensuring that women and girls can thrive in all spheres of life. Angola’s participation in the HRC session underscores its dedication to upholding human rights and fostering a more inclusive and equitable world.