Significant evidence
shows that by empowering women and girls, societies benefit as a whole,
new socio-economic opportunities open, and economic growth is spurred,
the US ambassador to the United Nations Betty E King, who is heading the
US delegation to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
yesterday observed during a session on ‘Women in Development.’
“A growing body of evidence – including academic, policy, and private sector research – shows that empowering women and reducing gender gaps in health, education, labour markets, and other areas is associated with lower poverty, higher economic growth, greater agricultural productivity, better nutrition and education of children, and a variety of other outcomes,” she said.
Agriculture, environment, food security, and intellectual property, among other issues, also have important gender considerations, she added.
“Today’s event on ‘Women in Development’ offers another important moment to highlight the important role of women in development and economic growth. Too many women around the world are marginalised. Too many girls are not given the opportunity to learn the skills and develop the tools that will help them contribute productively to their communities,” she said, while mentioning that the US recognised the fact and has made the empowerment of women an integral part of its development agenda.
“As Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said at the special session on ‘Gender’ at the “Fourth high level forum on aid effectiveness,” we believe we are entering the age of participation, one in which every individual can make valuable contributions to the global marketplace if they have the opportunity to do so. And it is incumbent upon us to make sure that men and women alike have that opportunity,” she said.
The official maintained that the empowerment of women was of crucial, and growing, importance for harnessing the potential for inclusive growth and development. “Women’s engagement in trade and economic activities, employment in export sectors, production of cash crops and the creation of new businesses enables them to make productive investments and reduce poverty,” she noted.
“A growing body of evidence – including academic, policy, and private sector research – shows that empowering women and reducing gender gaps in health, education, labour markets, and other areas is associated with lower poverty, higher economic growth, greater agricultural productivity, better nutrition and education of children, and a variety of other outcomes,” she said.
Agriculture, environment, food security, and intellectual property, among other issues, also have important gender considerations, she added.
“Today’s event on ‘Women in Development’ offers another important moment to highlight the important role of women in development and economic growth. Too many women around the world are marginalised. Too many girls are not given the opportunity to learn the skills and develop the tools that will help them contribute productively to their communities,” she said, while mentioning that the US recognised the fact and has made the empowerment of women an integral part of its development agenda.
“As Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said at the special session on ‘Gender’ at the “Fourth high level forum on aid effectiveness,” we believe we are entering the age of participation, one in which every individual can make valuable contributions to the global marketplace if they have the opportunity to do so. And it is incumbent upon us to make sure that men and women alike have that opportunity,” she said.
The official maintained that the empowerment of women was of crucial, and growing, importance for harnessing the potential for inclusive growth and development. “Women’s engagement in trade and economic activities, employment in export sectors, production of cash crops and the creation of new businesses enables them to make productive investments and reduce poverty,” she noted.
