SG/SM/7290

SECRETARY-GENERAL STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF WOMEN’S ROLE IN MEDIA COVERAGE

Following is the text of Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s message to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Initiative for Women in the Media:

I cannot think of a single issue in the news that is not a woman's issue. Women are every bit as much affected as any man by peace and security, by human security, by human rights. It is, therefore, right and indeed necessary that women should be there to cover these issues, with equal strength and in equal numbers.

On behalf of the United Nations let me, therefore, praise UNESCO for this initiative. It is a fine way of marking the first International Women's Day of twenty-first century.

* *** *
United Nations