International Women's Day: 8 March International Women's Day, since its inauguration in 1911, celebrates the achiev ements

of women, and promotes their freedom, and social and economic equality. Its origins in labour movements, protesting poor working conditions and low wage s in the textile industry, are still relevant today. In many parts of the world women still struggle for recognition of their value to the economy, and for equa l pay. Poverty rates are highest in female-headed households with children. This year, as we move towards the World Summit on Sustainable Development, it is fitting that women's contribution to development should be acknowledged. Their potential to drive change should be recognized. In many places, although women h ave yet to gain equality, they are helping to move their families and communitie s out of poverty. With a little more support, so much more could be achieved. Water is of great importance to sustainable development. Women often shoulder th e responsibility for household water supply and purification. This may mean walk ing many hours per day, time and energy, which could be more usefully devoted to educating children, or on income earning activities. There must be investment i n integrated water resources management, to release this energy. In developing countries, women are responsible for up to 80% of food production. These women are the most severely affected by natural disasters and climate cha nge. In an attempt to provide for their families, they are the first to go hungr y. Food security must feature on the Johannesburg agenda. The use of traditional biomass energy has a profound effect on women's health. E xposure to high indoor smoke levels results in lung disease and pregnancy relate d problems. These women also spend a significant amount of their time and energy carrying heavy loads of fuel, which affects their health too. Renewable energy, at an affordable price, is essential to free women from this burden and enable economic development. Sustainable development can only be achieved if there is equality for women. Wom en can only realize their true potential, if they have access to education and p lay a full role in the communities' decision-making processes. Their understandi ng of the environment and its problems, and their role as educators, has to be u sed to ensure that the environment as a resource is valued and respected, and us ed for the benefit of all. The Platform for Action, adopted in Beijing in 1995, calls for greater recogniti on of women as guardians of the environment. It calls for enhanced participation of women in the management of environmental resources and the reduction of envi ronmental risks to women. I urge governments, the private sector and individuals to wor together to move beyond rhetoric and take ACTION to improve the quality of life of women everywhere