Professor Dalia Leinartė has profound knowledge of advancement of gender equality and women’s empowerment, to which she has dedicated her academic and professional career for more than two decades. Professor in leading Lithuanian universities, consultant of the Lithuanian National Inter-Ministerial Commission on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men, member of CEDAW, she is also an author of numerous publications and a speaker at multiple conferences and seminars, actively advocating for gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls at home and abroad.

For many years Professor Leinartė has been fully dedicated to the fight against gender stereotypes, trafficking in women and girls, women’s sexual exploatation and abuse, areas in which she is a recognized expert. As a member of CEDAW, Professor Leinartė served as its Vice Chairperson (2015-2016) and Chairperson (2017-2018).

Currently, she is involved in drafting the Committee’s general recommendation on trafficking in women and girls in the context of global migration. In Lithuania, Professor Leinartė also leads an inclusive inter-sectoral working group developing a new Lithuanian action plan for the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda.