The UN Development Programme (UNDP) has launched Africa Human Development Report 2016 to accelerate gender equality and women’s empowerment in the continent.
 
The report was jointly launched on Tuesday by Abdoulaye Mar Dieye, UN Assistant Secretary General and UNDP Africa Director and some Federal Government officials at the ongoing 3-day African Economic Conference in Abuja.
 
Dieye said that the issue of women empowerment started with Beijing Declaration, noting that a lot of progress had been recorded since then.
 
“ We have seen progress on gender equality and women’s empowerment; it is moving on the high rise trend since Beijing.
 
“We want to credit the rise to the Millennium Declarations because when you look at Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 5 – Improve maternal health- It has the highest total multiplier effect.
 
“Countries that have been investing on MDGs 5 have seen the political and economic impact on women,’’ he said.
 
The UN chief said that two events also gave emphasis on promoting gender equality in the continent.
 
“You will remember in 2013 when our leaders agreed on the Maputo declaration protocol, which entails gender equality and women empowerment.
 
“The second was July 2014 in Addis Ababa when leaders made a solemn declaration on gender equality and women empowerment.
 
“That gave an impetus but we (UNDP) looked at progress made on the gender equality on political and economic side and it is not on the high speed.’’
 
Dieye said that the recommendations in the report proposed an Agenda for Action to accelerate gender equality and women’s empowerment.
 
Read more at https://www.today.ng/news/nigeria/227326/undp-launches-report-accelerate...