Rome, 28 February 2018 – The three Rome-based agencies of the United Nations, the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the World Food Programme (WFP), are celebrating 2018 International Women's Day at IFAD headquarters in Rome, Italy on 8 March. This year’s annual event will focus on how information communication technologies can empower rural women and girls to transform their lives, as a central element in the efforts to eliminate poverty and hunger, and build inclusive and sustainable rural societies.

Speakers will include:

• Gilbert F. Houngbo, President of IFAD
• Kostas Stamoulis, Assistant Director-General Economic and Social Development Department, FAO
• Amir Abdulla, Deputy Executive Director, WFP
• Danielle Nierenberg, President and Founder of Food Tank

The event, which starts at 10 a.m., will be followed by a reception and mini 'Gender Share Fair.'

IFAD, Via Paolo di Dono 44 -  E.U.R./Laurentina, Rome

Journalists can contact ifadnewsroom@ifad.org to attend or for more information.

For more information on IFAD’s work, please visit www.ifad.org.