In a vibrant display of commitment to gender equality, Bhutan marked International Women’s Day in Phuentshogling with a call for urgent, decisive action to end gender disparities—a challenge that, according to global leaders, has taken far too long to address.
At a high-profile United Nations commemoration event, UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that eradicating extreme poverty among women and girls could take another 130 years. His words resonated deeply with participants in Bhutan, who argued that while notable strides have been made in women’s empowerment and leadership, the progress remains both fragile and insufficient.
Supported by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), the event in Phuentshogling brought together a diverse group of participants including faculty and students from the Arura Academy of Health Sciences, healthcare officials, and representatives from various governmental agencies. They united around a common theme—Accelerate Action—to stress that transformative change cannot be delayed.
Dorji Dhradhul, Executive Director of the Arura Academy of Health Sciences, was emphatic in his message: “This year’s theme is to Accelerate Action, meaning we cannot wait for these many years. Maybe we can wait for 130 days but not years for gender balance.” His remarks highlighted the urgency for policymakers to implement measures that fast-track progress towards gender equality.
Echoing this sentiment, Pema, the Executive Secretary of Phuentshogling Thromde (ENG), acknowledged the strides made by Bhutanese women while also pointing to persistent inequities. “All the women in this room prove the equality of women in Bhutan. However, the situation does not rule out the need for accelerated action for achieving gender equality as there are still women in Bhutan who are not privileged and fortunate enough to be celebrating this event,” Pema stated.
Educators and researchers present at the event also voiced their concerns over the slow pace of change. Sonam Zangmo, a teacher at the Arura Academy of Health Sciences, urged, “Everyone should take action immediately so that it would not take that long to achieve gender equality. It is high time that policymakers and decision-makers put in action and do something about it.” Similarly, Tandin Wangchuk warned against complacency, noting that some researchers estimate it could take five generations to achieve full gender parity. “Every one of us, including the lawmakers, should come together to achieve it as soon as possible and not wait that long,” he added.
UN Secretary-General Guterres further underscored the universal stakes of the struggle for gender equality. “We must never accept a world where women and girls live in fear, where their safety is a privilege rather than a non-negotiable right,” he asserted, reminding the international community that when women and girls rise, the prosperity of all is uplifted.
As the day concluded in Phuentshogling, the message was unmistakable: equality cannot be postponed. With a collective pledge to pursue robust and immediate reforms, the participants reinforced their belief that the journey toward true gender balance must begin today—not generations from now.
