International Women's Day is our opportunity to recognize and celebrate women around the world. In Canada and other developed countries, most women are able to live in freedom and in good health. They are able to contribute to their families and communities without fear. We must continue to ensure that their opportunities in life are not limited and value the contributions they make to our societies. As the Minister for International Cooperation, I have witnessed the heavy burden faced by women in developing countries. That is why our government places high importance on equality between men and women in all international development programs of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).
Women produce 60-80 percent of food in developing countries, and half of the world's food. Women represent nearly half of the world's labour force, over half of informal workers, and they own a third of small businesses. When women are educated, more family members become literate, children are healthier and community stability grows. Women are central to achieving sustainable development results in food security, improving family incomes and building communities. CIDA's continued focus on supporting women in all of our programs is one of the ways that we are working to make international assistance more effective and to ensure that women benefit from Canada's development programs.
As president of the G8 in 2010, Canada will champion a major initiative on maternal and child health in the world's poorest regions. Saving the lives of mothers and their children is a key step to making the world a better place for all. International Women's Day gives all of us the opportunity to recognize the efforts of women around the world, celebrate their successes, and think about the challenges they face in their everyday lives.
