Indian actor-producer Farhan Akhtar performed at a star-studded event here organised by the UN’s body on women empowerment where leaders made a clarion call to end gender inequality by the year 2030.
The event ‘Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality’ was a UN Women-hosted celebration for 20th anniversary of the historic Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing.
It was attended by President of Liberia Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
The event saw electrifying performances that brought the message home and the audience to their feet, including a song and poem by Akhtar, UN Women’s Goodwill Ambassador and Founder of Men Against Rape and Discrimination (MARD).
“Gender violence and gender inequality is not just a women’s issue. It’s also a man’s issue. It’s not just because we have mothers, wives, sisters and daughters. We’re here because it’s a human rights issue and we are all human beings,” he said in a message.
Akhtar, 41, had also attended the US premiere of the documentary “India’s Daughter” in the city on Monday with his wife Adhuna. Following the screening, he had posted on Twitter that he he humbly appeals to the concerned ministry that they lift the ban on this film. “It’s only effect is that of introspection.”
