Spain to Contribute 50 Million Euro to New Gender Equality Fund
15 Dec 2008
Fund to support women’s economic and political empowerment. Agreement signed today.
The Government of Spain today committed 50 million Euro (about US$67 million) to the new UNIFEM-administered Gender Equality Fund. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Juan Antonio Yáñez-Barnuevo, Permanent Representative of Spain to the United Nations, and UNIFEM Executive Director Inés Alberdi. María Teresa Fernández de la Vega, First Vice President of the Spanish Government, attended the signing ceremony.
“Efforts to enhance women’s economic and political empowerment need to be strengthened,” said UNIFEM Executive Director Inés Alberdi. “The new Fund’s focus on these areas will make an important contribution to advance gender equality. We know how central this is to achieving the Millennium Development Goals, and I would like to thank the Spanish Government for its generous support,” she added.
“The provision of adequate resources to promote gender equality has been a critical issue in the review process on Financing for Development throughout the year,” said Spanish First Vice President María Teresa Fernández de la Vega. “Through the contribution to the Gender Equality Fund, Spain is responding to the urgent need that has been identified.”
The Gender Equality Fund builds on the agreed conclusions of the 52nd Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women on Financing for Gender Equality to accelerate progress towards gender equality and women’s empowerment. The Fund will support governments and civil society organizations in developing countries to fast track national actions in support of the economic and political empowerment of women.
The Gender Equality Fund will also undertake regular reviews of gender equality policies, plans and strategies worldwide, and will support countries to strengthen these. The reviews will highlight successful national plans that merit further investment, and encourage ongoing learning.
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Source: UNIFEM
“Efforts to enhance women’s economic and political empowerment need to be strengthened,” said UNIFEM Executive Director Inés Alberdi. “The new Fund’s focus on these areas will make an important contribution to advance gender equality. We know how central this is to achieving the Millennium Development Goals, and I would like to thank the Spanish Government for its generous support,” she added.
“The provision of adequate resources to promote gender equality has been a critical issue in the review process on Financing for Development throughout the year,” said Spanish First Vice President María Teresa Fernández de la Vega. “Through the contribution to the Gender Equality Fund, Spain is responding to the urgent need that has been identified.”
The Gender Equality Fund builds on the agreed conclusions of the 52nd Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women on Financing for Gender Equality to accelerate progress towards gender equality and women’s empowerment. The Fund will support governments and civil society organizations in developing countries to fast track national actions in support of the economic and political empowerment of women.
The Gender Equality Fund will also undertake regular reviews of gender equality policies, plans and strategies worldwide, and will support countries to strengthen these. The reviews will highlight successful national plans that merit further investment, and encourage ongoing learning.
Read More...
Source: UNIFEM
