"Giving more power to women is not just a goal in itself. It is also a prerequisite to improve the life of all human beings". It was stated today by the UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, in the run-up to the International Women’s Day, that falls on March 8th. "This Day he states is an opportunity for all of us women and men to gather around a cause that concerns all of mankind". "Gender equality and human rights guaranteed to everyone are a prerequisite to promote development, peace and security", recalls Ban Ki-moon, however we are "still very far from acting on this principle". "In virtually all countries, women keep being underrepresented in decision-making roles he highlights -. Women’s work is still underestimated, underpaid or unpaid at all. Over 100 million children do not go to school, and the majority are female. Over 800 million adults cannot read, and again the majority are women. Worse still, violence against women and girls persists in every continent, country and culture", and "too often it is hidden or silently accepted". The International Women’s Day, he concludes, "urges us to work to improve relations between men and women at all social levels".
