Ban Ki-moon: Empower rural women

Empower rural women by giving them access to resources, a role in decision-making and stop discriminating against them, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said as the world observes International Women’s Day (IWD) Thursday. “Invest in rural women. Eliminate discrimination against them in law and in practice. Ensure that policies respond to their needs. Give them equal access to resources. Provide rural women with a role in decision-making,” said Ban Ki-moon. The world observes the IWD on March 8 every year. The UN’s theme for this year is ‘Empower Rural Women – End Hunger and Poverty’. Highlighting the potential of rural women to improve the well-being of entire societies, he said they should be given equal access to resources and set free from the discrimination and exploitation that hold them back. The plight of the world’s rural women and girls mirrors that of women and girls throughout society,” Ban Ki-moon told an event at UN Headquarters to commemorate the day. He acknowledged that women are increasingly exercising greater influence in business, government, politics, public administration and other professions. Also, more girls are going to school and are growing up healthier and better equipped to realize their potential. But, despite this momentum, there is a long way to go before women and girls can be said to enjoy the fundamental rights, freedom and dignity that are their birthright and that will guarantee their well-being,” said the Secretary-General. Rural women and girls make up a quarter of the global population, yet they routinely figure at the bottom of every economic, social and political indicator, from income, education and health to participation in decision-making, he said. In her IWD message to the world’s largest democracy, the President of India Pratibha Devisingh Patil, said, Every year, the IWD is celebrated to dedicate ourselves to strive for a world based on gender equality and justice. It is a day to celebrate the spirit of ordinary women, who have played extraordinary roles in shaping their families, communities, society and countries. At the same time, it is a day to reflect on the progress made in achieving the goal of all-round development of women, and of implementing a pro-active agenda of change.” In her message released by the Press Information Bureau of India, Patil added, “Women can play an important role in focusing on issues related to gender inequality, ways to eliminate poverty and on social practices that are disadvantageous to the development and empowerment of women and the girl child. Women’s empowerment is an important field where more work, needs to be done.