U.N. Women Japan director Naoe Yakiya stresses importance of diversity in media

Naoe Yakiya, director of U.N. Women’s Japan office, has underlined the importance of ensuring greater diversity among media and advertising professionals to break down gender stereotypes.

“Advertising has the power to change social norms,” Yakiya, 52, said in an interview ahead of International Women’s Day on Sunday, stressing the role that media and advertising can play in shaping society.

She has been working to eliminate gender stereotypes since assuming the post in February last year as head of the Japan office of the U.N. body dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women.