Message by the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator a.i., Ms. Mandeep O’Brien on the International Women’s Day

On International Women’s Day 2022, we celebrate the power and potential of women and girls around the world.

On this day, on behalf of the United Nations Country Team in Sudan, I wish to acknowledge the critical roles that Sudanese women and girls continue to play to shape a brighter future for the country. Their courage and perseverance give us hope and added determination in pursuing our path to work even harder to empower them.

I commend the achievements and progress made in addressing gender issues, because without equality, we cannot achieve a sustainable or equitable future. We therefore urge the authorities to increase investment in the education and empowerment of women and girls. Their important participation and inclusion in social, political, and economic life, has the power to lift communities.

We must continue to promote and protect their human rights and fundamental freedoms.

This year’s theme of International Women’s Day also reminds us that women and girls are the most affected by climate change.

Despite their significant roles in natural resource management, women and girls have also generally been marginalized economically and politically, particularly those in the remote rural areas of the country.

Women and girls are effective and powerful leaders and change-makers for climate adaptation and mitigation. Their participation and leadership results in more effective climate action.

The empowerment and education of women and girls is a smart investment; it is essential for sustainable development, healthier households, and greater gender equality.

Without gender equality today, a sustainable future, and an equal future, remains beyond our reach.

This International Women’s Day, let’s collectively call for “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow”.