Prime Minister of Iceland Jóhanna Sigurdardóttir emphasized the importance of strengthening the position of women to eradicate poverty in her address to a summit on the United Nations Millennium Development Goals in New York on Wednesday.
Prime Minister of Iceland Jóhanna Sigurdardóttir. Photo by Geir Ólafsson.
“We need to listen to the voices of women and children worldwide. We need to hear the poor and marginalized. It is our responsibility to act in all of their interest as leaders accountable to our fellow citizens,” the PM said in her speech.
“Gender equality and empowerment of women is key to the success of the Millennium Development Goals. Not only as a specific target, but for the goals in general,” she continued.
“Women bear a heavier burden of the world’s poverty than men because of the discrimination they face in education, health care, employment and control of assets. Women are also particularly defenseless against violence and exploitation in conflict situations,” the PM stated.
“UN WOMEN is a historic step,” Sigurdardóttir declared. “We need to make it a strong and efficient agent for the needs of women and girls worldwide.”
Click here to read the PM’s speech in full.
