Press Release
UNFPA to Call for Higher Investments in Women During United Nations Global Meeting
21 February 2008
UNITED NATIONS, New York — Government officials, experts, and representatives of non-governmental organizations will meet here next week to evaluate investments made so far in achieving equality between men and women. The gathering, during the Commission on the Status of Women to take place from 25 February to 7 March 2008, will share lessons learned and good practices, identify effective policies, and foster the exchange of national and regional experiences to achieve gender equality, empower women, and reduce gender-based violence.
During the global event, UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, and its partners will organize a number of activities to underline efforts to promote women’s equality and human rights. These events include:
Monday, 25 February
Launch of the Secretary-General’s Campaign to End Violence against Women.
The event will include an address by UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid.
Where: United Nations, Conference Room 2
When: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Tuesday, 26 February
1. Panel on “Experiences on Financing for Women’s Health,” sponsored by UNFPA and the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM). The panel will include Mari Simonen, UNFPA Deputy Executive Director (External Relations, United Nations Affairs, and Management).
Where: United Nations, Conference Room 7
When: 1:15 -2:45 p.m.
2. Panel on “Capacity-building on mainstreaming a gender perspective in the development, implementation and evaluation on national policies and programmes for financing for gender equality and the empowerment of women.”
Participants will include Purnima Mane, UNFPA Deputy Executive Director (Programme).
Where: United Nations, Conference Room 2
When: 3 -6 p.m.
Wednesday, 27 February
Launch of Inter-agency Joint Statement on Female Genital Mutilation. The statement contains the commitment of ten United Agencies to the elimination of female genital mutilation and their pledge to support governments, communities, and women and girls to abandon the practice within a generation.
Where: United Nations, Conference Room 2
When: 3:00 p.m.
Monday, 3 March
Panel on “Investing in Gender and Empowerment of Women in Peace Building and Conflict Resolution”. Sponsored by UNFPA and the United Nations Office of the Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women, the panel will discuss increasing demands by women from around the world to be part of the most important decisions ever made—those relating to war and peace, and life and death. Participants will include Elisabeth Rehn, former Minister of Defence, Finland; Betty Bigombo, Minister of State and peace negotiator, Uganda; Ita Fatia Nadia, National Commission on Violence Against Women, Indonesia; Fotini Siannou, peace activist, Greece; Nuria Esparch Fernandez, Deputy Minister of Defence, Peru; and Bineta Diop, FEMME Africanes Solidarite. The event will be chaired by Rachel Mayanja, Assistant Secretary-General and Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women.
Where: Millennium UN Plaza Hotel, the Landmark View Conference Room (44th Street, between First and Second Avenues)
When: 2-4 p.m.
Tuesday, 4 March
Panel Discussion on “Leveraging Resources for Obstetric Fistula: A Commitment to Maternal Health.” The event will chaired by UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid.
Where: United Nations, Conference Room 8
When: 1:15 –2:45 p.m.
UNFPA Booth
UNFPA will also have a booth containing relevant publications and material on the Fund’s work to counter gender violence.
Contact Information:
Abubakar Dungus
Tel.: +1 (212) 297-5031
Email: dungus@unfpa.org
Omar Gharzeddine
Tel.: +1 (212) 297-5028
Email: gharzeddine@unfpa.org
