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International Women's Day - March 8th, 2009

Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-Minn.) speaks at USAID’s 2009 International Women’s Day celebration, "Women – A Driving Force for Economic Recovery". Photo Credit: Stewart Grand, USAID, EGAT/PAICO/CKM

International Women’s Day first emerged one-hundred years ago in North America and Europe. Since then, it has become a day of global commemoration and celebration of women all around the world.  International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for further change, and to celebrate extraordinary acts of courage and determination by ordinary women.

This year’s theme is “Women and Men United to End Violence Against Women and Girls.”  The USAID Office of Women in Development (WID) is committed to preventing gender-based violence and to helping those who have been abused.  Read more about the WID office’s work to combat gender-based violence, including a program that addresses school-related GBV, as well as the Global Health Bureau’s work on GBV.

Statement from Acting Administrator
Alonzo L. Fulgham

March 8 is International Women’s Day. USAID proudly stands with women and men around the world to recognize the essential role that women play in development, and to celebrate their critical contributions to economic, social, and political advancement.  USAID has a long-standing and deep commitment to improving the status of women. 

As the world struggles to recover from the current economic crisis, we are reminded of the important roles women play in the global economy.  In April 2006, the Economist said, "Forget China, India, and the Internet:  economic growth is driven by women."  Empowering women economically can lift entire families and communities out of poverty.  Women in poor countries are more likely to spend their income on food, education, and healthcare for their children, thereby creating powerful, positive, and measurable benefits to society.

Despite their significant contributions to the world economy, women are more likely to bear a disproportionate burden in the ongoing economic crisis.  Women make up a majority of the world’s poor.  Today, it is critical that we renew our efforts to expand economic opportunities for women.  Not only are women the drivers of economic growth, they can be the drivers of economic recovery. 

USAID will continue to support economic programs targeting women.  In Rwanda, Vietnam, Ethiopia, and elsewhere, we are addressing the legal and institutional constraints for women entrepreneurs, providing technical assistance to overcome gender-related barriers in business, and expanding access to credit for women-owned, small and medium-sized enterprises.  These and many other examples illustrate USAID's commitment to, and leadership in, empowering women.

Integrating women into the economic, social, and political lives of their communities is fundamental to the achievement of sustainable development.  Please join with me as we reaffirm USAID's commitment to work on behalf of women who contribute so significantly to the global economy and who make the world a better place.

-- Alonzo Fulgham, USAID Acting Administrator

Women – A Driving Force for Economic Recovery

Mark Blackden, Consultant, International Finance Corporation; Mary Ellen Iskenderian, Women's World Banking; Katherine Blakeslee, Director, Office of Women in Development; Ellie Larson, The Solidarity Center; Linda Werthheimer, National Public Radio. Photo Credit: Stewart Grand, USAID, EGAT/PAICO/CKM

The theme for the USAID celebration of International Women’s Day was Women – A Driving Force for Economic Recovery.  The event took place on March 10th, 2009 in the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, DC.

Acting Administrator Alonzo Fulgham gave the opening remarks at the event.

The keynote speaker was U.S. Representative Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on the State Department and Foreign Operations. Click here to read Congresswoman McCollum's remarks.

The following individuals, pictured at right, served as panelists at the event:

• Mark Blackden, Consultant, International Finance Corporation
• Mary Ellen Iskenderian, Women’s World Banking
• Ellie Larson, The Solidarity Center
• Linda Werthheimer, National Public Radio
  

Biographies of Congresswoman McCollum and Event Panelists

Additional Information

USAID Mission and U.S. Embassy Events for International Women's Day 2009

The Economic Crisis:  The Impact on Women

USAID Supports Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment

USAID Global Health Bureau Recognizes International Women’s Day 2009

Statement by the President of the United States on International Women’s Day

Statements by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on International Women’s Day

• Secretary Clinton’s Op-Ed Celebrating International Women’s Day

• Secretary Clinton’s International Women’s Day Remarks

Melanne Verveer Becomes First Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues

• President Obama Announces Key State Department Appointments, Including New Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues Position
  
  
• Statement of Melanne Verveer, Ambassador-at-Large-Designate for Global Women's Issues, Before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee
  
  
• Melanne Verveer Confirmed as Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues on April 3, 2009

2009 International Women of Courage Awards

• United States Recognizes Women of Courage: Eight Exceptional Women from Around the World Honored by State Department
  
  
• Recipients of the 2009 International Women of Courage Awards

• Remarks by Secretary Clinton at the International Women of Courage Awards Ceremony, March 11, 2009

• Remarks by First Lady Michelle Obama at the International Women of Courage Awards Ceremony, March 11, 2009

• Article about International Women of Courage Award Recipient Who Investigates Peacetime Deaths of Military Personnel

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