Ambassadors from a variety of permanent missions to the United Nations offered thoughts on the Baha’i International Community’s (BIC) documentary Glimpses into the Spirit of Gender Equality, screened this week as part of the United Nations’s 65th session of the Commission on the Status of Women 

“Social norms and stereotypes are learned at a young age,” observed Ambassador Enrique A. Manalo, Permanent Representative of the Republic of the Philippines to the United Nations. “Gender equality benefits both girls and boys. The social community and educational process that foster equality between boys and girls must be promoted.”

The Permanent Mission of the Philippines co-sponsored the screening and small-group discussions that followed, along with the BIC.

Ambassador Israel Choko Davies, Deputy Permanent Representative of Liberia to the United Nations, noted the importance of changes at the level of culture, portrayed in the film. “You will see how the actions of others in a given community cultivate positive changes in the behavior of others…. You will learn of the positive role and the importance of spirituality in achieving gender equality.”

The role of religious communities in advancing gender equality was a theme highlighted by several speakers. “There is no space in society where gender equality has no purpose,” said Ambassador Christoph Heusgen, Permanent Representative of the Federal Republic of Germany to the United Nations. “This becomes particularly evident when we look at the role of religion in promoting gender equality.”

Ambassador Francisco Duarte Lopes, Permanent Representative of Portugal to the United Nations, drew attention to another key theme in the film—that “men and boys should also be included in our efforts to advance gender equality.” He noted that, “In a gender-equal future, every girl will have just the same opportunities as every boy, and women will not feel afraid, insecure, or diminished for being women, but empowered instead.” 

The event was moderated by Saphira Rameshfar, a Representative of the BIC to the UN. “This film aims to instil a sense of hope and optimism,” she explained in opening remarks. “As we recommit our efforts within the UN towards the vital requirement of gender equality, and as we work to live out this principle in our own lives, we move forward with our eye on the long arc of history and remember that the trajectory of humanity’s future is bright.” 

Recently honored at the American Golden Picture International Film Festival, the film is currently available in Arabic, English, French,  Mandarin Chinese, Russian, and Spanish, with versions coming soon in Azerbaijani, German, Hindi, Persian, Portuguese,  Swahili and Turkish. An accompanying web page for the film features further insights into the communities it profiles.