Women as Decision-Makers: Going Beyond the Numbers

Washington, DC - March 6, 2006

On the occasion of International Women's Day and the 50th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) – which focuses on women in decision-making and development – women's rights advocates are recognizing the political strides made by women in recent months. Joining in the celebration, PAI stresses the critical importance of examining not only the number of women in decision-making positions, but also the substance of their agendas – to ensure that the best interests of women and girls are being met, including their sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs.

Recent success stories have set the stage for a lively global discussion on women in power. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of Liberia is Africa's first female president. Michelle Bachelet of Chile made history by becoming the first Latin American woman to rise to the presidency without a powerful husband by her side. On average, however, only 15 to 16 percent of legislative seats worldwide were held by women as of November 2005; countries such as Rwanda are exceptions, with women filling 48 percent of its parliamentary seats.

President Bachelet has put women's rights on the top of her agenda, and President Johnson-Sirleaf spoke passionately of women's empowerment through education, enforcing sexual assault laws, and economic advancement in her inaugural address. It is PAI's hope that these leaders continue to incorporate the themes of this year's CSW into their policies, paying special attention to the connection between developmental progress and the need for SRH programs for all women – especially those affected by HIV/AIDS.

As the number of women in global leadership positions increases, it is critical that their agendas address the needs of their countries' most vulnerable groups. They must implement policies that ultimately enable future generations of women to follow in their footsteps, leading their countries down paths toward peace, prosperity, and health.

 

Population Action International (PAI) works to improve individual well-being and preserve global resources by mobilizing political and financial support for population, family planning and reproductive health policies and programs.