Statements and speeches
Opinion
Guest Commentary: No Woman Should Die Giving Life
08 May 2010
On Mother’s Day, we shower women with flowers, cards and other expressions of love and affection. The holiday is a fitting reminder of the lifeline women extend to us all. But for far too many women…
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International Day of the Midwife
03 May 2010
Français | Español | ??????? "The World Needs Midwives Now More than Ever" Each year, hundreds of thousands of women die and three million newborns do not survive the first week of life because they…
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Investing in Reproductive Health and Rights to Achieve MDG5 and Accelerate Sustainable Development
24 April 2010
<p> <span>We are here to explain how investments in reproductive health and rights are crucial not just for the achievement of MDG5 to improve maternal health but also for the other MDGs – to eliminate extreme poverty and hunger, ensure universal education, reduce child mortality, curb the spread of HIV and AIDS, promote gender equality, and ensure sustainable development.<span> </span> </span> </p>
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Promoting International Development Through a Cultural Lens
21 April 2010
<p>"To be lasting, change must come from within," said UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid in a keynote speech today on promoting development through a cultural lens. She said that cultural agents of change can be supported in communities to make greater progress for women's empowerment, gender equality and the right to sexual and reproductive health.</p>
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Health, Morbidity, Mortality and Development
12 April 2010
<p>We are gathered at this session to discuss health, morbidity, mortality and development. Today, people are living longer than ever before and this is surely one of humanity’s greatest achievements</p>
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Together We Are Stronger
08 April 2010
<p>At a Summit of Religious Leaders in the Netherlands , UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Obaid summed up the discussions on religious leadership in response to AIDS and the way forward.</p>
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Beijing+15 and the Millennium Development Goals: Focus on Accountability and Equity
01 March 2010
<p>It is always a pleasure to address the Commission on the Status of Women. This is one of the most dynamic bodies in the UN system thanks to the strong voices and participation of leaders from both government and civil society. It is especially thrilling to be here with you to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and to discuss how we can make greater progress for girls and women.</p> <p> </p>
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Advancing the Agenda of the International Conference on Population and Development
22 February 2010
<p>NEW YORK — On 16 February, UNFPA Executive Director welcomed NGO representatives to a consultative meeting and called for unity and focus in moving the outcomes of the ICPD/15 review forward to register greater progress in advancing the ICPD Programme of Action and achieving universal access to reproductive health and the Millennium Development Goals.<br/> </p>
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International Day Against Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting
06 February 2010
<p>Progress has been made in recent years in reducing the incidence of female genital mutilation or cutting (FGM/C), largely because communities and families are taking action and calling for change.</p>
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Statement of Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, First Regular Session UNDP/UNFPA Executive Board
20 January 2010
<p>Normally I begin the first regular session by wishing all of you a Happy New Year. But this year, while I wish you all the best, I would like to begin by extending solidarity, compassion and sympathy to the Government and people of Haiti and others who are suffering from the devastating earthquake. Upon returning from Haiti, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed his great admiration for the resilience of the Haitian people in the midst of this catastrophe.</p>
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Louis B. Sohn Human Rights Award Acceptance Speech
10 December 2009
<p>I accept this Louis B. Sohn Award with a deep sense of gratitude, humility and responsibility. I am deeply honoured to be selected as the first United Nations official to receive this prestigious honour.</p>
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Address to Seminar on Violence against Women
03 December 2009
<p>Last week I attended the commemorations at UN headquarters for the International Day of Elimination of Violence against Women. At the commemoration, Secretary-General BAN Ki-moon launched a Network of Men Leaders, as part of his campaign “UNiTE to End Violence against Women”.</p>
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