Central African Republic celebrates International Woman Day

UNITED NATIONS ADDRESS HEAD OF STATE ON PROGRESS IN FEMALE EMPOWERMENT

Bangui, Central African Republic (C.A.R.), 9th March 2005 - The President of C.A.R. General François Bozizé, along with the Prime Minister and members of Government, senior politicians, diplomats, and organizations advocating for women rights, took part yesterday in a celebration of International Woman Day in the capital Bangui. Held at the headquarters of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC), the event included speeches, songs, and a theatre sketch. But this special day also signalled a concrete step forward for Central African women: President Bozizé endorsed the "National Policy for the Promotion of Equality and Equity", developed with the support of the United Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA).

The Representative of UNFPA, Dr. Basile Oleko Tambashe, addressed the President of the Republic and the entire audience, as he reported on the advancement of women in the country. He focused on the issues of female empowerment, their participation in public life and economic activity, the health and well-being of women and mothers in particular, as well as violence against them.

For the past several years UNFPA has been engaged in promoting women empowerment in all political, social, and economic activities in Africa's most land-locked country. "We advocate for equality and equity not only for reasons of principle but also because it is a matter of social justice. You will all agree that, whenever women cover important functions, the results of their actions are positive and concrete", said Dr. Tambashe.

"Out of 105 Members of Parliament, only ten are women. This is a very long way from the target of 30%, which Member States of the United Nations, including C.A.R., have committed to achieve world-wide", Dr. Tambashe noted. But hopes for advancement are fair: "Female participation was very high in the last elections. We are in a position to hope for progress, thanks to the good will of political parties, and the dedication of civil society", he added, "These two key components of a country's political and social life must play a leading role in the fight for equal opportunities. The United Nations must ensure that they are aware of the importance of this and that they are enabled, through improved capacity, to play this function".

While the situation may be improving, the United Nations believe that this is more likely, the more poverty eradication in the country is successfully addressed. "We must eliminate extreme poverty, in order to guarantee equality of opportunity for women and men. This is a long-standing endeavour, the effects of which can only be perceived on the long term", the UNFPA Representative noted.

The C.A.R. is among the world's least developed nations: it is today ranked 171st among 177 countries, according to the United Nations human development index. Life expectancy currently stands at 38 years, after falling at a rate of six months every year over the last decade. "The key to addressing the country's plight requires an integrated approach, with humanitarian action going hand-in-hand with development efforts. Female participation will both facilitate and benefit from these efforts", said Bruno Geddo, United Nations acting Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in the poverty-stricken nation.

For further information, please contact:

Maurizio Giuliano, Public Information Officer, Office of the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, C.A.R.
Email: giuliano@un.org; Tel: +236-031825

Stephanie Bunker, Spokesperson, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), New York
Email: bunker@un.org; Tel: +1-212-9175126

Elizabeth Byrs, Spokesperson, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Geneva
Email: byrs@un.org; Tel: +41-22-9172653