On International Women's Day, UNFPA calls to increase investment in women and girls rights

Sana'a, March 08, 2008

The UNFPA representative, Mr. Hans Obdeijn, calls on the Yemeni Government and its partners to increase investment in women's and girls' rights, and in particular for their reproductive rights. He also urges all partners to advocate for the creation of an adequate environment to fulfil these rights, such as legislation reform, support of gender data collection and utilization, and mainstreaming gender in all government policies and plans. These remarks were presented in the speech delivered on behalf of the United Nations System in Yemen on the occasion of International Women’s Day, organized by the Women's National Committee with support of UNFPA and other international agencies.

Obdeijn expressed his delight on the theme of the celebration, which was "Together for Safe Motherhood" and confirmed that the Government, Civil Society and Development Partners all wish to further contribute to the advancement of women in Yemen.

 "We have all committed ourselves to the National Women Development Strategy" Obdeijn said. "We have all promised Yemeni women more control over resources, better access to health and education and more empowerment to contribute to poverty reduction and economic growth. We have also committed ourselves to enabling the fulfilment of Yemen's obligations under different international Human Rights Treaties, as well in the achievement of the MDGs," he added.

Obdeijn praised the national partners' work towards women empowerment and advancement. He also called for ever harder work, as Yemen - according to the Global Gender Gap Report of 2007 - shows the highest rate of gender inequality in areas of economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, political empowerment, health and survival. According to the report, Yemen ranks 128 out of 128 countries. "This is quite sobering," he said.

Yemen also has one of the highest rates of maternal mortality in the world: for every 100,000 babies born, 365 women die from complications during pregnancy and childbirth, a number equivalent to several airplanes crashing every year. Obdeijn pointed out that this explains why we all attach so much importance to establishing vigorous, comprehensive and quality reproductive health and family planning services. Establishing such services provides the solution to Yemen’s formidable population growth challenge, as was unequivocally established during our National Population Conference of December 2007.

"This is also, why we are proud to launch today the National Alliance for Safe Motherhood, an excellent step towards improving women’s well-being through improved health. By providing universal access to reproductive health and family planning, Yemen will address its population concerns, contribute to poverty alleviation and reduce its maternal and newborn deaths". Obdeijn concluded. He also called for ending intolerant and subordinate attitudes towards women and continuing to work under the tenet that Yemen will not be able to meet the MDGs unless women are afforded the same freedoms, rights and opportunities as men

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