Enhancing Role of Women in PromotingThe Millennium Development Goals [Archives:2005/853/Local News]

Under the auspices of Mr. Ahmed Mohammed Sofan, the deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in partnership with the National Women's Committee organized on Sunday 19 June a workshop on promoting awareness about the MDGs and enhancing the role of women in achieving them, particularly given the momentum the MDG has been in the center of all international development efforts, at the Taj Sheba Hotel, Sana'a. The workshop came as part of a boarder campaign implemented by UNDP with selected national actors targeting different sectors. The purpose was to increase understanding of the MDGs and to stir dialogue on the possibility of achieving them in Yemen.

The workshop aimed to raise awareness on the MDGs particularly among women's groups and selected government counterparts, and to highlight the efforts that are being exerted to reach the Goals in Yemen, with an emphasis on mainstreaming gender and bridging gender gaps in education. The workshop also highlighted the role played by the National Women's Committee in integrating gender concepts and considerations into policies, plans and national development programs. It is expected that the event will produce an action plan that aims to enhance the achievement of that MDGs, including MDG 3 related to women empowerment and gender equality in education. It should also address some gender-related concerns in relation to the 3rd national five-year plan for development and poverty reduction (2006-2010).

Furthermore, the workshop highlighted the current efforts within the established Thematic Working Groups in the areas of poverty reduction and fostering economic growth, education, health, environment and water, as well as the infrastructure. Several working papers were presented and discussed on the results of the needs assessment. This needs assessment mapped out the necessary investments and policies to reach the MDGs by 2015. During the Millennium Summit in New York in 2000, the world's leaders, including H.E, President Ali Abduallah Saleh, have committed to achieve the MDGs. The goals set concrete and quantifiable targets that need to be achieved related to reducing rates of extreme poverty and hunger, improving health and educational trends, ensuring gender quality and empowerment of women, as well as ensuring environmental sustainability and making a global partnership for development.

Currently, Yemen, with support from the UN Millennium Project, UN agencies in Yemen and the donor community, is working with to support national partners to scale up its efforts to achieve the MDGs by 2015.

Mr. Mohammed Sfan along with Ms. Rashida AL-Hamadani, the head of National Women' s Committee and Mr. Kaled Ishaq, UNDP Communications Analyst who delivered speech on behalf Ms. Flavia Pansieri, the UNDP representative in Yemen.
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