International Women's Day

08 March 2012

Women at Diem Arab Centre, Port Sudan, Red Sea State. Photo: Kumar Tiku/UNDP

This year, International Women’s Day focuses on the empowerment of rural women and their role in poverty and hunger eradication, development and current challenges.

“Invest in rural women. Eliminate discrimination against them in law and in practice. Ensure that policies respond to their needs. Give them equal access to resources. Provide rural women with a role in decision-making.” UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

Learn more about UNDP's work to empower women

Our Stories

UNDP Sudan celebrates Mother’s Day

Staff at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Sudan paid tribute today to their mothers, sisters, spouses and daughters in celebration of Mother’s day. Speeches were given, poetry recited and joyful signing accompanied the ceremony to mark this important day in everyone’s life. National more

Statement by UNDP Administrator, Helen Clark

"Rural women account for nearly half the agricultural labor force and are custodians of traditional knowledge about the land and their local environment. Backed by small development investments, rural women can lead the way in building food and nutrition security for their families and communities, and thus in building resilience to future extreme weather events."