UNICEF stresses gender equality and women empowerment

The new report of the UNICEF released on its 60th anniversary states that eliminating gender discrimination and empowering women would have a profound and positive impact on the survival and well being of children.

Gender equality produces the 'double dividend' of benefiting both women and children and is pivotal to the health and development of families, communities and nations, the report entitled 'The State of the World's Children 2007' says.

The report says women's influence in key decisions improves the lives of women and has a positive effect on a child's well being and development.

The report further says, "Despite progress in women's status in recent decades, the lives of millions of girls and women are overshadowed by discrimination, disempowerment and poverty. Girls and women are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS and women in most places earn less than men for equal work. Millions of women throughout the world are subject to physical and sexual violence, with little recourse to justice. As a result of discrimination, girls are less likely to attend school; nearly one out of every five girls who enroll in primary school in developing countries does not complete a primary education."

The report suggested more attention is needed in education, financing, legislation, legislative quotas, women empowering women, engaging men and boys and improved research and data as the key interventions need to enhance gender equality. nepalnews.com ia Dec 12 06