International Women’s Day to Spotlight Investing in Women

CONTACT:

Omar Gharzeddine, UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, +1 (212) 297-5028

NEW YORK, March 6– Investment in the education, credit and health care of women could generate enormous returns for strapped governments worldwide, according to advocates preparing for the 100th International Women’s Day on Friday.

The March 8 centenary observes the 1908 march of more than 15,000 women through New York’s wintry streets to demand better working conditions and job rights. At the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women meeting here this week, delegates noted that women’s needs still tend to be at the bottom of poor nations’ priority lists and that this is a serious error.

Because women are central to the health and productivity of their families, investment that saves lives otherwise lost in pregnancy and childbirth can preserve families and communities, the participants said. Pregnancy-related causes still kill one woman every minute, most in the developing world, crippling families and slowing economies. “We must remember that health is wealth,” said Thoraya Obaid, executive director of UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund. “Whether we are looking at it from a human rights, political or economic point of view, the conclusion is the same: It makes sense to invest in women.”

So-called “gender budgeting” can reflect women’s needs through improved health systems and credit programs, especially those targeted at rural women, who produce most of Africa’s food. The UN Special Advisor on Gender Issues, Rachel Mayanja, has said improving credit and living conditions for such women could raise agricultural yields by 20 percent.

“When women are fully empowered and engaged, all of society benefits,” said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon in a statement marking International Women’s Day.

Australia, for example, has organized a month-long program of activities to observe the centenary, including rallies, marches and exhibitions to raise awareness about continuing discrimination and violence against women. “It is an opportunity to celebrate the amazing and valuable contribution women make every day,” said Judith Henderson of the IWD Committee in the town of Illawarra.

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