Jack McConnell MSP
Concern Worldwide (UK) Campaign
This picture is Free to use - Rose Caldwell, (centre right) Executive Director at Concern Worldwide (UK), Jack McConnell MSP (centre left) with a supporting group of MSP's at the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh - International humanitarian agency, Concern Worldwide launched their ‘Women Can’t Wait’ campaign in the Scottish Parliament, calling on world leaders to act now to support poor women in their efforts to defeat hunger. Jack McConnell MSP hosted the event, also attended by a large cross-party group of MSP’s, to provide a platform for the unheard voices of women in the developing world. The Women Can’t Wait campaign asserts that women hold the key to tackling hunger and malnutrition because it is women that are largely responsible for growing, buying, selling and cooking food in poor countries. Research shows that women grow up to 80% of the food in most poor countries, tackling hunger and rural poverty. Speaking at the event, Rose Caldwell, Executive Director at Concern Worldwide (UK) says:Today, for the first time in human history, there are over a billion people going to bed hungry every night. Despite commitments to improve gender equality, we know that the majority of these are women. This is because when times are hard women eat last and least. It is unacceptable that even though poor women produce a majority of food, they make up the majority of the world’s hungry. If we are to tackle the blight of hunger, poor women need to be recognised and supported in their fight against hunger. Jack McConnell MSP said: "Across the world it is women who are largely responsible for growing as well as preparing food, yet their contribution is often forgotten. In September, politicians will gather in New York to review the UN Millennium Development Goals. It is a matter of regret that the world’s commitment to halve the number in extreme poverty is still far more being realised. We must redouble our efforts to support women farmers, their families and their communities in the developing world. Their future is our future too." For further information please contact Joanne Smith on: 0141 221 3610 / 0782 444 7800 - Picture by Donald MacLeod 18.05.10 – mobile 07702 319 738
Concern Worldwide (UK) Campaign
This picture is Free to use - Rose Caldwell, (centre right) Executive Director at Concern Worldwide (UK), Jack McConnell MSP (centre left) with a supporting group of MSP's at the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh - International humanitarian agency, Concern Worldwide launched their ‘Women Can’t Wait’ campaign in the Scottish Parliament, calling on world leaders to act now to support poor women in their efforts to defeat hunger. Jack McConnell MSP hosted the event, also attended by a large cross-party group of MSP’s, to provide a platform for the unheard voices of women in the developing world. The Women Can’t Wait campaign asserts that women hold the key to tackling hunger and malnutrition because it is women that are largely responsible for growing, buying, selling and cooking food in poor countries. Research shows that women grow up to 80% of the food in most poor countries, tackling hunger and rural poverty. Speaking at the event, Rose Caldwell, Executive Director at Concern Worldwide (UK) says:Today, for the first time in human history, there are over a billion people going to bed hungry every night. Despite commitments to improve gender equality, we know that the majority of these are women. This is because when times are hard women eat last and least. It is unacceptable that even though poor women produce a majority of food, they make up the majority of the world’s hungry. If we are to tackle the blight of hunger, poor women need to be recognised and supported in their fight against hunger. Jack McConnell MSP said: "Across the world it is women who are largely responsible for growing as well as preparing food, yet their contribution is often forgotten. In September, politicians will gather in New York to review the UN Millennium Development Goals. It is a matter of regret that the world’s commitment to halve the number in extreme poverty is still far more being realised. We must redouble our efforts to support women farmers, their families and their communities in the developing world. Their future is our future too." For further information please contact Joanne Smith on: 0141 221 3610 / 0782 444 7800 - Picture by Donald MacLeod 18.05.10 – mobile 07702 319 738