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Remarks of Acting Administrator Alonzo L. Fulgham
at USAID International Women’s Day Celebration, March 10th, 2009

Acting Administrator Alonzo Fulgham speaks at USAID International Women’s Day event, March 10th, 2009. Photo Credit: Stewart Grand, USAID, EGAT/PAICO/CKM

Good morning ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to USAID and thank you for being here. I especially want to welcome Congresswoman Betty McCollum and our other distinguished guests. Let me also thank Kathy Blakeslee, Director of USAID’s Office of Women in Development, and our Legislative and Public Affairs Bureau for organizing this event in celebration of International Women’s Day.

Throughout my Foreign Service career, I have seen a direct link between a society’s development and the way in which it treats its women citizens. The 2005 Arab Human Development Report perhaps put it best. It declared that quote: “The rise of women is a necessary, but not necessarily sufficient, condition for the realization of human development.” End quote. Women are vital to development and economic growth. Although they are disproportionally impacted by poverty and natural and man-made disasters, women are also strong, resilient, and resourceful – a fact I am reminded of daily by my wife and two daughters. Throughout many developing countries, women are heads of households and the driving force behind social and economic recovery.

USAID is proud of its commitment to empowering women, because it is the right thing to do and because it is essential to development effectiveness.

As we address the global economic and food security crises, we must focus on the role that women play as drivers of economic recovery. Women produce 60 to 80 percent of the food in developing countries. They must be given the tools and assets needed to increase productivity. Women’s income goes primarily to feed, clothe, and educate their children. They must be empowered economically because they are the backbones of their communities.

We have a full program today, and I know that you are anxious to hear from our distinguished speaker and panelists. First, let me say a few words about our honored guest.

Congresswoman Betty McCollum hails from St. Paul, in the great State of Minnesota. She is a member of the House Appropriations Committee, where she sits on the State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee, and is a co-founder of the Congressional Global Health Caucus. Representative McCollum is a champion of women and children in developing countries. She has been outspoken on programs that support strong and healthy families, including programs to alleviate poverty, increase food security, and promote access to, and excellence in, education. A member of the Center for Strategic and International Studies Commission on Smart Power, Congresswoman McCollum is seen as a leading expert on foreign aid reform. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in extending a warm welcome to Congresswoman Betty McCollum.

Additional Information

The Economic Crisis:  The Impact on Women

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton's Remarks, International Women's Day 2009

USAID Supports Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment

USAID Global Health Bureau Recognizes International Women’s Day 2009

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