On the occasion of International Day of Women, SRSG Madame Kim Bolduc sent a message to all MINURSO staff member. Here is the full text:

"Today as we commemorate the International Women’s Day, I wish to share with my colleagues, both women and men, serving in MINURSO some important thoughts and inspirations taken from the Secretary General’s message on the occasion and from the UN global family. Let us also remember those brave women, who sacrificed their life to bring about the social change for the recognition of women’s rights.

Denying the rights of women and girls is not only wrong in itself; it has a serious social and economic impact that holds us all back. Gender equality has a transformative effect that is essential to fully functioning communities, societies and economies. Women’s access to education and health services has benefits for their families and communities that extend to future generations. An extra year in school can add up to 25 per cent to a girl’s future income.

Empowering women and girls is the only way to protect their rights and make sure they can realize their full potential. We have to start change at home and in the earliest days of school, so that there are no places in a child’s environment where they learn that girls must be less, have less, and dream smaller than boys.

When women participate fully in the labour force, it creates opportunities and generates growth. Closing the gender gap in employment could add $12 trillion to global GDP by 2025. Increasing the proportion of women in public institutions makes them more representative, increases innovation, improves decision-making and benefits whole societies.

The Secretary General is committed to increasing women’s participation in our peace and security work. Women negotiators increase the chances of sustainable peace, and women peacekeepers decrease the chances of sexual exploitation and abuse. In this regard, MINURSO is working with colleagues in UNHQ to increase the strength of women UNMOs.

On this International Women’s Day, let us all strive to do everything we can to overcome entrenched prejudice, support engagement and activism, and promote gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Thank you."