Soroptimists at the UN - New York-MDG update

DPI /NGO Briefing May 20th 2010 at Salvation Army Auditorium 52nd Street

UN Representative New York

Report : Yoko Komori Olson



“We can End poverty The Millennium Development Goals at Ten”

Background information

“ We must not fail the billions who look to the international community to fulfill the promise of the Millennium Declaration for a better world. Let us meet in September to keep the promise.” With only five years left until the 2015 deadline to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called on world leaders to attend a summit in New York on 20-22 September 2010 to boost progress towards the MDGs. “ Secretary –General Ban Ki-moon



This is the DPI report of FACT and Progress.

( in Reference to the MDGs Summit 20-22 September, 2010)

MDG #3

PROMOTE GENDER EQUALITY AND EMPOWER WOMEN

Eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education, preferably by 2005, and in all levels of education no later than 2015

Fact

The gender gap in primary school enrolment has narrowed to over 95 girls for every 100 boys in developing countries,a 4 percentage point improvement since 1999.

Women’s share of national parliamentary seats increased to 19% in 2009, a 6 percentage point improvement since 1999.

Country Progress

Mexico------“Oportunidades “ conditional cash transfer programme led to an increase of secondary school enrolment rates of over 20% for girls and 10% for boys in rural areas where the programme operated.



Rwanda--- in 2008, Rwanda elected a majority of women (56%) to its lover chamber of parliament, the highest level of female representation of any country.



Bangladesh----Starting from a very low gender parity index in primary education(0.35) in 1980’s, now closed the gender gap in primary and secondary education within a decade.



Tanzania---Land Act and Village Land Act of 1999 secured women’s right to acquire title and registration of land, addressed issues of customary land rights, and upheld the principles of non-discrimination based on sex for land rights.



Ethiopia----Amhara Province, promotion of functional literacy, life skills, reproductive health education and opportunities for saving for girls has significantly reduced marriage of girls aged 10 to 14.



Guyana---Help for teenage mothers to improve their competence through education and life skills training has significantly empowered them to make decisions for better lives for themselves and their children.