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International
Women's Day at the United Nations
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 The
UN celebration of International Women's Day on March 8 celebrated the
role of women in promoting world peace and social progress. Far from
just benefiting women, equals rights and opportunities benefit the entire
society. So, for example, every one-percentile growth in female secondary
schooling results in a 0.3 percent growth in a country's economy.
Unfortunately,
in the poorest countries that would benefit most, girls are often kept
from schooling.
This year's
UN observance of International Women's Day focused on women and HIV/AIDS.
"In most countries and communities," Secretary-General Kofi
Annan said, "it was women who had been most active and effective
advocates and activists in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Supporting these
women, and encouraging others to follow their example must be our strategy
for the future. It is our job to furnish them with strength, resources
and hope."
In his
remarks, the Secretary-General pointed out that HIV/Aids, one of today's
most critical issues, was usually thought to strike mostly men. Today
a terrifying pattern has emerged. All over the world women are increasingly
bearing the brunt of the epidemic.
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United Nations logo
Chagall stained glass at U. N.
Sr Mary Ann, C.P. at U. N.
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At least half
of those newly infected are women.
Among people younger
than 24, girls and young women
now
make up nearly two-thirds of those living with HIV.
If these rates
of infection continue women will soon become
the
majority of people infected globally.
Since women usually
help society's families cope in times
of
drought and famine, HIV infection among them will cause
more
family break-ups, displacement and migration.
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Why Are Women More Vulnerable to HIV/AIDS Infection?
One of
the apparent cruelties of the HIV/AIDS epidemic is that women are twice
as likely biologically to contract the disease than men. Additionally,
society's inequalities -- poverty, abuse and violence, lack of information,
coercion by older men, and men having several partners, contribute to
their risk.
What Can Be Done?
Relations
between women and men at all levels of society must be transformed and
women and girls empowered. Some changes include:
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Reducing violence against women.
Protecting the property and inheritance rights of women and girls.
Ensuring women's and girls' equal access to care and treatment;
Promoting access to prevention options for women.
Supporting ongoing efforts towards universal education for girls.
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For more information, contact:
Sr
Mary Ann Strain, C.P.
Passionist
International
777 UN
Plaza, #6H
New York,
NY 10017 USA
or email:
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index
to all Compassion articles online
- email
questions or comments
Copyright 2004 - all rights reserved - Passionist Missionaries of
Union City, NJ, USA
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Publisher:
Terence Kristofak, C.P., Provincial Eastern Province
Editor: Victor Hoagland, C.P. • Coeditors: Mary Ann Strain, C.P.
and Kevin Dance, C.P.
Art Director: Sr. Mary Clement • CSAC Circulation: James Fitzgerald
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