Gender Equality Minister Byun Do-yoon stressed the importance of cooperation in the international community to promote gender equality during the 53rd session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.

In her keynote speech to the session Wednesday, the minister also laid out the Seoul government’s efforts to promote the status of women.

Byun added that gender equality can be realized through harmony and cooperation with men, stressing the importance of eliminating biased notions of gender roles.

The minister stressed the importance of a unified effort to assist people diagnosed with AIDS and their support networks by improving public health systems and relieving some of their financial burdens.

Established by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in 1946, the Commission on the Status of Women is the principal global policy-making body with regard to the promotion of gender equality and the advancement of women. The commission has 45 member countries, including South Korea.