WASHINGTON, March 8, 2011 — World Bank Group President Robert B. Zoellick today issued the following statement on the centenary celebration of International Women’s Day:
“In the hundred years since the world first marked International Women’s Day, we have seen tremendous strides in women’s health, education, financial and social empowerment, voting rights, and employment opportunities. But we can and must do more.
For our part, the World Bank Group will continue investing in women’s access to jobs, land rights, financial services, agricultural inputs, and infrastructure. Our message to the world is that, “Gender Equality is Smart Economics” and we will further mainstream women’s empowerment into our work. The Bank’s 2012 World Development Report will focus on gender equality dimensions of development.
We are also proud to have increased the role of women in the Bank’s Senior Managerial ranks. For the first time ever, two out of three Managing Directors are women, and four out of six of our Regional Vice Presidents are women.
We urge public and private partners to join us in the work to open more doors of opportunity to girls and women for the benefit of all.”
