Eddie Burke

International Women's Day 2009

Today we mark International Women's Day 2009.

Women are the key to the Millennium Development Goals becoming a reality. The world won’t achieve the MDGs in 2015 without bringing about gender equality and the empowerment of women.

As Gordon Brown quite rightly pointed out in his speech to the UN in September 2007: "The alleviation of poverty and hunger demand global recognition (of) women’s leadership and organizing capacities. Women’s work in agriculture and export promotion are key to sustainable development. The road to sustainable development begins with inclusive policy-making."

Most of the poorest people in the world are women and part of what makes them poor is borne solely out of their gender.

Did you know that in rural Africa it's women, not trucks, who carry two-third of all goods? Many women there are forced to stay at home to work during the day - of course, they sacrifice an education and career do be able to do so.

The MDGs represent a fresh desire to provide education and career opportunities to these women. Some women are not allowed to work at all, however. There are also women afflicted with serious health issues who don't have access to proper treatment. So MDGs not only create opportunities, but also work to promote the equal and fair status of women at home, in education, health, politics and work.

Progress for women not only changes their lives but will better the lives of future generations of women. Women must have equal rights to end poverty. Until then, it won’t happen.

Posted at 13:03 09 March 2009 by Eddie Burke  |  Comments[2]

Discussing aid effectiveness in London

I'm in London accompanied by several delegates from Capitol Hill in Washington for a series of meetings with key UK policy makers to discuss the effectiveness of aid. The US and UK are major contributors of foreign aid. As such, it's important that we regularly sit down and examine how successful our contributions have been and how to better our assistance.

The delegates and I will also attend the International Development and Aid Effectiveness Conference hosted by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. The broad aim of the conference is to challenge parliamentarians from across the Commonwealth and the world to hold their respective executives to account for development funds given, received and allocated. Given the current financial climate, I imagine this year's conference will focus mostly on ensuring that allocated aid is actually given.

It's also anticipated that Prime Minister Gordon Brown will attend and give remarks at the opening reception. That's the rumour anyway!

Either way, it should be a very interesting week. I will update you on what comes of it.

Posted at 08:15 19 November 2008 by Eddie Burke  |  Comments[0]