Home > News > The Prime Minister in Action > September 2014 > The Prime Minister Attends the Open Forum and Other Sessions of WAW! Tokyo 2014
The Prime Minister Attends the Open Forum and Other Sessions of WAW! Tokyo 2014
Friday, September 12, 2014
Photograph of the Prime Minister giving a speech at the Open Forum of the World Assembly for Women in Tokyo: WAW! Tokyo 2014 (1)
Photograph of the Prime Minister giving a speech at the Open Forum of the World Assembly for Women in Tokyo: WAW! Tokyo 2014 (2)
Photograph of the Prime Minister receiving a courtesy call (1)
Photograph of the Prime Minister receiving a courtesy call (2)
Photograph of the Prime Minister receiving a courtesy call (3)
Photograph of the Prime Minister receiving a courtesy call (4)
Photograph of the Prime Minister meeting with the Speaker of the Bangladesh Parliament (1)
Photograph of the Prime Minister meeting with the Speaker of the Bangladesh Parliament (2)
Photograph of the Prime Minister delivering an address at the reception
On September 12, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the World Assembly for Women in Tokyo (WAW! Tokyo 2014).
At the beginning, Prime Minister Abe delivered a speech at an Open Forum entitled “Women’s Power as the Source of Growth.”
Following that, Prime Minister Abe received a courtesy call from H.E. Ms. Naina Lal Kidwai, Immediate Past President of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Executive Director on the Board of HSBC Asia-Pacific and Country Head of HSBC India; H.E. Ms. Zainab Hawa Bangura, United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict; H.E. Ms. Caroline Kennedy, Ambassador of the United States to Japan; and H.E. Ms. Cherie Blair, Founder, Cherie Blair Foundation for Women. The Prime Minister then held a meeting with H.E. Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Speaker of the Bangladesh Parliament.
Lastly, Prime Minister Abe attended a reception, and said in his address,
“The first day of WAW! Tokyo 2014 has come to a close and I would like to thank everyone for their cooperation in making this a great success.
We live in an age in which it is no longer possible to have a society founded on a division of roles based on gender.
Women possess a wealth of knowledge and imagination, and I believe that their active efforts in all areas of society will boldly pave the way for the future of humankind.
Men will also benefit from a society in which all women shine. And I see that a large number of men from the financial and business communities are present today.
I would by all means like to ask all you men to continue to actively promote the careers of women without hesitation.
As a result of increasing the number of women in my Cabinet, I have been able to increase the Cabinet’s support rate.
I would like to ask women to also take bold steps themselves. I intend to build a Japan where there are opportunities for all women who work hard.
Tomorrow a High Level Round Table will be held. I intend to hold lively discussions on the challenges facing Japan and the world, with various participants who are leaders in their respective fields.
WAW! kicked off today. It is my earnest wish that every time we hold WAW! women continue to shine even brighter.
I sincerely hope that Japan and the world will become better places as a result.
Thank you very much.”
