FAO WOMEN’S COMMITTEE Special VirtualiTea Turning up the dial on FAO gender empowerment Opening Remarks

Excellences,

DDG Maria Helena Semedo, Chair of FAO’s first ever Women’s Committee, which was founded by myself, and you became the first Chair.

Chair, it is Friends of the FAO Woman’s Committee. Of course, Member of the Women’s Committee. Executive Chair and other Vice-Chairs.

I am so delighted to come today, of course a little bit delayed, you understand why. I have already finished three meetings since eleven. In FAO, we enjoy efficiency and Digital FAO.

That is why during the pandemic, the FAO Women’s Committee played a better role beyond my expectations.

When I established these kinds of committees, not only the FAO Women’s Committee, but also the FAO Youth Committee, we just wanted to change the mood and moral of staff and employees. Not only our system networks, but also through you to lead the change of the global women’s community. From FAO, beyond FAO.

That is my real purpose, and now after four years, I am so proud that you have done much better.

It is a historical and remarkable 44th VirtualTea.

It is special because it is the first-ever in person gathering of the Women’s Committee, which kept the FAO global family connected since our first lockdown four years ago.

I remember in the first meeting. Ms Beth Bechdol participated in this room and on the 5th of March 2020 we started celebrating the International Women’s Day.

I remember everything, I never have to take notes.

You see, after four years everything changed, but one thing did not change: passion and being optimistic. That is also my principle.

I am also so happy to see more and more FAO employees including women. You support more than half sky of FAO and make this Organization more positive, dynamic and more passionate by supporting each other. That is something I really appreciate. Because a mother’s love is a real love without condition. That is my lifelong conclusion.

Sometimes the father’s love has a little bit of condition because they want to change kids to follow their steps. But the mother’s love, in most cases - not 100 percent, I am a scientist – is without condition. That makes a difference.

I appreciate this general value and philosophy.

Especially because this is the last VirtualiTea where DDG Semedo wears her hat as Chair of the FAO Women’s Committee.

When I launched both the Youth and Women’s Committee in October, especially on October 15th because it is the International Day of Rural Women, I picked it out so that it is easier to remember because I am a symple person. I get a connection easily and make FAO Women’s Committee historically memorable because it is on the International Day of Rural Women. We work for rural women.

When I launched both in October 2019, my vision was to provide a safe space where colleagues, both at headquarters and in decentralized offices, could exchange new ideas for actions to empower the Organization and explore ways to better support our those who need us the most, the farmers and vulnerable groups.

That was the original idea, but also beyond. We want to access a lot of women and the women’s community in the countries that need the most assistance.

I knew, from East to West, from South to North, there are so many differences in cultures and religions that influence women’s empowerment.

I am lucky, I saw the change during the past 50 years in China, in Asia, in the World. Some countries changed quickly, and some countries changed slowly, but in general they are more and more open, and more and more women-empowering.

If you compare yourself, we call it “vertical comparison”, but the “horizontal comparison” is so much more different. We need a lot of room to change and to improve.

It gives me great pride to see the many achievements of the Women’s Committee these past four years under the passionate leadership of DDG Semedo. 

There have been many achievements and big organizational milestones, both internal and external, not only in terms of advocacy and outreach, but also in terms of cultural change.

Apart from the successful VirtualiTeas, the Women’s Committee co-sponsored FAO’s first ever Staff Mentorship Programme, together with the Youth Committee.

There was the memorable FAO ethical fashion show with designer and Mountain Partnership Goodwill Ambassador Stella Jean brining fashion to rural women.

And help mountain people and women to become more famous and visible.

I also advocate and promote products as souvenirs. These products are designed by the FAO Women’s Committee and support rural women, for example women from Tajikistan.

There is a lot of appreciation from the international and UN community.

You helped shape the Organization’s maternity and paternity leave, pushed for regional mental health support, and promoted the updated FAO Gender Equality Policy.

And you created solid bridges with sister UN agencies, governments, and partners.

I remember during lockdown. We together invited a lot of senior ladies who shared their successful stories on how to fight for their equity and how to become experienced in leadership. Taking good examples is a good lesson in experience sharing.

I remember welcoming so many impressive guests at your VirtualiTeas, from Italian astronaut Paolo Nespoli to UN Deputy Secretary General Amina Mohamed, to formidable activist Graça Machel.

And equally important, you gave voice to our women farmers, fishers, foresters, and young girls – women who are the backbone of the rural world, and of our agrifood systems.

Dear Friends,

These important results show me that launching the FAO Women’s Committee was the right move!

I am proud to share the joy and the success with you. Without your support, together with your colleagues, it is volunteer work, but it is worth it. You can use the time in a more meaningful and helpful way to your sisters.

I would like to commend DDG Semedo, the Vice-Chairs of the Women’s Committee, friends and colleagues supporting the Committee’s activities for your passion and commitment.

As well as friends from other parts of the world like Godfrey - he is nodding. Also former ADG, I remember, René Castro from Costa Rica. Even though he retired from FAO he always supported.

Thank you for helping the Organization walk the talk and to change it from the internal culture and from the powerful ladies’ soft power! I always appreciate it. Sometimes we need the hard power, but I prefer soft power because I am a very resilient man. I learned it from my grandmother.

And, as you all know, FAO has walked even further with the bold step of establishing the UN’s first-ever Office of Youth and Women.

That is why I am appreciative of the final decision that accepted my recommendation last Council to establish an Office of Youth and Women. Because that is really my core value in my life.

Congratulations again DDG Semedo for your leadership – you have set the bar very high! I know it is good for the next woman’s Chair. You set a high bar and that means we have more room to improve.

I count on the continued work of the FAO Women’s Committee, and all of you, and also female staff and employees, to turn up the dial on FAO gender empowerment and especially rural women.

And I am pleased to announce that another capable and passionate woman. She is even younger than Semedo. I do not want to mention her exact age, She will take over from DDG-Semedo in leading the FAO Women’s Committee: congratulations to DDG-Bechdol!

Last night, I could not sleep well and then I thought: “what is a special gift for my sister DDG Semedo”. That is something I prepared for you because, you know, we are from the poor Organization. But at least, I have something special for you.

[DG hands over a Chinese calligraphy scroll to DDG Semedo] This is the meaning: “Best wishes to DDG Semedo, safe and healthy life”. And that is special gift for you to remember. In Chinese it means: "FAO Women’s Committee first Chair Lady Semedo - and the founder, FAO DG Qu Dongyu. And the Year of the Dragon".

Thank you.