Judith Brown Clarke Champions Gender Equity at the United Nations

Judith Brown Clarke spoke on the panel, "The World is Not Designed for Women," hosted by the United Nations Population Fund on September 25.

Judith (Judi) Brown Clarke, Stony Brook University's vice president for equity and inclusionand chief diversity officer, recently served on a panel discussion at the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly. Participating in the side event hosted by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) on September 25, Brown Clarke joined global leaders in celebrating the one-year anniversary of the Equity 2030 Alliance, an initiative aimed at closing gender equity gaps in science, technology, and finance.

The panel, entitled "The World is Not Designed for Women,"explored the systemic barriers that prevent women and girls from fully benefiting from advancements in these fields. Brown Clarke, an Olympic silver medalist and two-time Pan American Games champion, brought her unique perspective on resilience and overcoming barriers to the conversation.

"I heard from leaders from the World Bank, Bayer, Salesforce, BBC, Organon, Center for Global Health and Development, and many others. As I sat there, listening to the impact of a collective investing almost $400 million USD in gender-equitable and women-centric actions, reaching over 64 million women and girls globally, in addition to ensuring over 120 million people experience inclusive, gender-equitable outcomes through digital products is just…it was awe-inspiring," said Brown Clarke. "This is where diverse ideas reinforced a commitment to transformational change, encouraging dialogue and collaboration to convert bold visions into impactful solutions."

The Equity 2030 Alliance, launched in 2023, has made significant strides in its first year. It mobilizes resources and expertise from governments, businesses, and academia to tackle gender inequity by integrating women's needs into the fabric of scientific and technological advancements. The alliance's goals include ensuring that by 2030, at least 50 percent of governments and 100 leading companies will have embedded gender equity principles into their policies and solutions.

Brown Clarke emphasized that the collaborative efforts of organizations like the Equity 2030 Alliance are critical in building a more inclusive, sustainable, and equitable future for all, ensuring that women's voices are heard and their potential is realized.

- Beth Squire

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