Kofi Annan Quotes

We know we cannot achieve our twin goals of ending poverty and boosting shared prosperity without ending poverty and creating equality for women and girls.

Gender equality will only be reached if we are able to empower women.

I am much more open about categories of gender, and my feminism has been about women's safety from violence, increased literacy, decreased poverty and more equality.

Equality and development will not be achieved however if peace is not understood from women's' point of view.

More countries have understood that women's equality is a prerequisite for development.

Gender equality and women's empowerment have been a top priority for me from day one as Secretary-General. And I am committed to making sure that the U.N. leads by example.

We are a model country where gender equality is concerned.

In Canada, women's rights are a vital part of our effort to build a society of real equality - not just for some, but for all Canadians. A society in which women no longer encounter discrimination nor are shut out from opportunities open to others.

There is no reason for women to trail behind men in social, economic, and political outcomes.

No society can thrive when half its people are left behind.

Any serious shift towards more sustainable societies has to include gender equality.

What is being called the UN 'gender architecture' is more like a shack. Women need a bigger global house if equality is ever to become a reality.

Women of this planet need some essential resources: wells, seeds and roads. That is primarily all we have ever needed. Added to that, women need righteous and strong men who will help us to use our most cherished gifts: the ability to multitask and problem solve.

The extension of women's rights is the basic principle of all social progress.

I'm a feminist in the true sense of the word. It's about equality.

I've been a staunch advocate of women's empowerment, and I've worked hard throughout my career to advance the cause. It is heartening to see that gender equality is really becoming more of a reality. There is still much more to be done, and I'm confident that, by working together, we can empower women worldwide.

The pure connecting factor is that those of us who describe ourselves as feminists want equal rights for all people.

I'm always trying to push for women's rights.

I want for myself what I want for other women, absolute equality.

Women’s rights are human rights and human rights are women’s rights.

While the overall goal of any society must be to educate all its members, at this stage in human history the greatest need is to educate women and girls. For over twenty years, studies have consistently documented that, of all possible investments, educating women and girls pays the highest overall dividends in terms of social development, the eradication of poverty and the advancement of community.

There must be equal opportunities for women. There is no difference between man and woman in their creation, in their humanity, in their pursuit of knowledge, in their understanding, in their intelligence, in their religious piety, in serving God and in serving people.

… no civilization can be perfect until exact equality between man and woman is included.

Those who have known the quality of my work and the many public statements I have made over the course of my life must know that I am a strong supporter of Women's Rights.

Women's rights are human rights.