In achieving development goals:
'Gender equality and women's empowerment important'
Ridma DISSANAYAKE
"As a developing country, gender equality and women's empowerment are
extremely important in achieving millennium development goals in SAARC
countries," Child Development and Women's Affairs Minister Tissa
Karaliyadda said.
Gender issues in SAARC countries are the most discussed topics in the
South Asian Region. The single data and information pool on gender
issues for the SAARC countries created by the SAARC and UNIFEM, would be
very helpful to solve these issues and it should be appreciated, he
added.
The SAARC Secretariat has made arrangements to prepare a data system
on male and female ratios with the aim of making a sustainable
development, based on gender equality.
Minister Karaliyadda was addressing the inauguration ceremony of the
SAARC Gender Information Base (SGIB's) sixth review meeting, which was
held at Hotel Ramada in Colombo, yesterday.
A joint initiative between SAARC and UN WOMEN, the two day meeting
was to conclude today.
The minister acknowledged the valuable contribution made by the SAARC
member state's officials, UN Women representatives and many others, to
wards developing a SGIB during the last two years and he also
appreciated its decision management and gender policy planning as well.
They are to examine and review the progress that had been made so far
in developing SGIB in their countries at this meeting.
They will have the opportunity to share their own experiences with
other participants of SAARC countries and also be able to further refine
their individual gender information base through this meeting.
Child Development and Women's Affairs Deputy Minister N.L.A.M.
Hisbullah, Ministry Secretary Sumithra Rahubadda and a number of foreign
delegates from SAARC countries participated at this meeting. |