After attending the event Promoting Women Empowerment: Women in Public Life, Business and Leadership, the Human Rights Ombudswoman, Dr Simona Drenik Bavdek, emphasised: “Women’s empowerment is not just a question of equal opportunities, but a prerequisite for a fair, open and successful society. Empowering women means a stronger society.” She added that every woman who takes even the smallest step forward is an inspiration to other women who may still be hiding in the background.

At the event, organised by the OnaVe Association in cooperation with the Embassy of Canada, the keynote address was delivered by Slovenia’s (first female) Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Tanja Fajon. She expressed her wish to see more women in leadership positions in politics and business, as well as in decision-making processes on all important matters – including seeing the first female Secretary-General of the United Nations.

During the panel discussion, participants Mateja Malnar Štembal, President of the OnaVe Association, Jelena Zelenovič Matone (Women4Cyber and Women Cyber Force), and Petra Juvančič, Executive Director of the Slovenian Managers’ Association, pointed out the many obstacles to achieving gender equality. They also presented ways to overcome these obstacles – starting with setting an example at home – in order to create a society where every girl can become whatever she wants to be.