Kofi Annan Quotes

The creation of a peaceful and sustainable world civilization will be impossible without the full participation of women in every arena of human activity.36 While this proposition is increasingly supported, there is a marked difference between intellectual acceptance and its implementation.

The solution to women's issues can only be achieved in a free and democratic society in which human energy is liberated, the energy of both women and men together. Our civilization is called human civilization and is not attributed only to men or women.

We can celebrate how far we've come from our sexist past when women and men are equally represented in the pages of science fiction anthologies.

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

No struggle can ever succeed without women participating side by side with men.

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

Achieving gender equality requires the engagement of women and men, girls and boys. It is everyone's responsibility.

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.

An Arab renaissance cannot be accomplished without the rise of women in Arab countries … Directly and indirectly, it concerns the well-being of the entire Arab world

Social progress can be measured exactly by the social position of the fair sex.

When women are empowered to contribute more fully, we all benefit.

Without women's equal access to positions of decision-making power and a clear process to get there, gender equality, global security, and peace will never be realized.

We are worse off - all of us, including men and boys - if our society is not developing and empowering 100% of the resources of humanity, including women and girls.

A few British suffragettes everybody laughed at started the cause of equality between men and women.

I believe that raising the status of women in Turkey is a responsibility shared by everyone. It is not only in Turkey; we are still in need of serious support for the role of women in business and society all around the world.

There will never be a new world order until women are a part of it.

Ten years ago in Nairobi we said that the participation of women in the decision-making and appraisal processes of the United Nations was essential if the organization was to effectively serve women's interests.

No nation can rise to the height of glory unless your women are side by side with you.

In Finland we have equal political rights for women and men. We do not regard ourselves according to sex.

Equality for women is progress for all.

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.

Countries with higher levels of gender equality have higher economic growth. Companies with more women on their boards have higher returns. Peace agreements that include women are more successful. Parliaments with more women take up a wider range of issues - including health, education, anti-discrimination, and child support.

A woman caring for her children; a woman striving to excel in the private sector; a woman partnering with her neighbors to make their street safer; a woman running for office to improve her country - they all have something to offer, and the more our societies empower women, the more we receive in return.

Investing in women and girls may once have been considered a radical notion or even a waste of resources, but in most places in the world today, women and girls are increasingly recognized as a critical link to greater prosperity, political stability, better health and public policy.

I will feel equality has arrived when we can elect to office women who are as incompetent as some of the men who are already there.