On the occasion of International Women’s Day it is my pleasure to recall the central importance of gender equity and the empowerment of poor rural women in pursuing IFAD’s goals. For IFAD’s field operations, reducing gender inequalities and increasing the capabilities of poor rural women are more than a matter of social justice. They are an essential conditions for reducing poverty and food insecurity. In recent years we have made in addressing gender concerns in project design and implementation. But to have a greater and more sustainable impact on poverty, we need to do more, to be more systematic and to monitor progress. In IFAD, we are committed to taking active measures to ensure an environment of equality and fairness for both women and men, and which supports both women and men in the workplace and in balancing the demands of work and home. Greater gender balance in staffing will be the measure of progress. I wish to acknowledge the dedication of IFAD staff – women and
men – who are actively engaged in efforts to ensure gender equity
within the organisation, and progress in addressing gender concerns in
our field operations.
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