MIA Welcomes 2016 International Womens Day Theme

Editor: The theme for this year's International Women's Day is 'Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality'.

The recently released 2015 Gender Chart (2pps; PDF) demonstrates both the progress that has been made in a number of the gender dimensions of the MDGs and that more needs to be achieved through the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDGs). Women and girls need to be at the centre of any development imperative for 'We know now that without gender equality and a full role for women in society, in the economy, in governance, we will not be able to achieve the world we hoped for (Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director, UN Women)

For members of the Mercy family, this day, this theme, this challenge and the aspirations voiced by the UN echo the sentiments expressed by Catherine McAuley who wrote, ‘ ... that no work of charity can be more productive of good to society, or more conducive to the happiness of the poor than the careful instruction of women, since whatever be the station they are destined to fill, their example and advice will always possess influence...' (Rule and Constitutions of the Religious Sisters of Mercy, Chapter 2 'Of the Schools').

Messages to: Mary Reynolds rsm - Executive Director MIA