Press Release
UNFPA Joins Women Deliver in Saluting 100 Individuals Making a Difference for Girls and Women
08 March 2011
In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day today, Women Deliver last week announcd the 'Women Deliver 100', a list of one hundred inspiring people who have delivered for girls and women.
UNITED NATIONS, New York—UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, welcomes the announcement by Women Deliver of the names of the top one hundred people advancing the causes and rights of girls and women. The list of honorees includes a number of partners and supporters of UNFPA, including two of its former Executive Directors.
“We join Women Deliver in saluting these inspirational individuals who have dedicated their own lives to improving the lives of millions of girls and women, both within their communities and globally,” said UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin.
The “Women Deliver 100” list acknowledges “the hundred most inspiring people who have delivered for girls and women.” It also “recognizes women and men, both prominent and lesser known, who have committed themselves to improving the lives of girls and women around the world,” according to Women Deliver, a global advocacy group dedicated to reducing maternal death and achieving universal access to reproductive health.
Two former UNFPA Executive Directors, Dr. Nafis Sadik and Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, are on the list, which also includes Mahmoud Fathallah of Egypt, winner of the 2009 United Nations Population Award. Others on the list are: Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations; Graça Machel, former Minister for Education and Planning in Mozambique; Michelle Bachelet, Executive Director of UN Women; and Melinda Gates, Co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Other recognized individuals include Amartya Sen, the 1998 Nobel Laureate in Economics; Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland; Dr.Catherine Hamlin, founder of the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital; Juliette Coulibaly, a midwife from Cote d'Ivoire; and Lysey Adarrio, a photographer who has worked with UNFPA on the Congo/Women exhibit and other projects.
“UNFPA would like to congratulate each and every person on the list—and all the other persons worldwide who are making a difference to improve maternal health and save lives,” added Dr. Osotimehin. “We will continue to champion reproductive health and rights to improve the lives of girls and women.”
Contact information:
Omar Gharzeddine
Tel: +1 212 297 5028
Email: gharzeddine@unfpa.org
Katja Iversen
Tel: +1 212 297 5141
Email: iversen@unfpa.org
