"When girls are educated and healthy, and can avoid early marriage, unwanted pregnancy and HIV, they can contribute fully to society," states UNFPA Executive Director Babatunde Osotimehin in his message on the International Women's Day 2011.

UNFPA Executive Director Babatunde Osotimehin spoke at a ministerial meeting, hosted by the UN Adolescent Girls Task Force, during the 55th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women. Dr. Osotimehin stated that adolescent girl is "the unexpected solution to many of the world’s most pressing problems, provided we join efforts to unleash their power and potential."

Ms. Purnima Mane, UNFPA Deputy Executive Director (Programme),spoke at the launch Nepal's National Action Plan on women, peace and security. Ms. Mane congratulated Nepal and pledged that, to realize the goals of the plan, "UNFPA will continue to expand its partnership with the government of Nepal."

<p>Ms. Purnima Mane, UNFPA Deputy Executive Director (Programme), spoke at an expert meeting on Maximizing the Development Impact of Remittances, in Geneva, stating that "to maximize the development benefits of remittances from women migrants, we need sex disaggregated data and gender-sensitive research on the sending, use and impact of remittances. We need to reduce the costs associated with migration, and improve the financial literacy and entrepreneurship skills of migrants and their families."</p>

<p>All girls deserve to grow up free from harmful practices that endanger their health and well-being.</p>

<p>Remarks of UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Babatunde Osotimehim at the Joint Meeting of the Executive Boards<br/> of UNDP/UNFPA, UNICEF, UN Women and WFP: "Mainstreaming gender through the work of the agencies<br/> and envisaged collaboration with UN Women"</p>

<p>Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin addressed the Executive Board for the first time as the Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund.</p>

Ms. Purnima Mane, UNFPA Deputy Executive Director (Programme), spoke on World AIDS Day at the Light for Rights event in New York. "The light of “human rights and equality” allows people living with HIV to access information, treatment and care, enabling them to live the healthy, free productive lives they fully deserve," she stated.

<p>In her message on World AIDS Day 2010, UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid welcomes the good news from UNAIDS showing that the epidemic is changing course: "We now have more reason than ever to dream of a world with zero new HIV infections, zero AIDS-related deaths, and zero discrimination.'"</p>

<p>UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid joins UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and other leaders in condemning violence against women and calling for stronger action to end impunity:</p> <p>"Every woman has the right to live in dignity—free of fear, coercion, violence and discrimination. Every woman has the right to health, including sexual and reproductive health. Yet, for hundreds of millions of girls and women worldwide, these human rights are denied."</p>

<p>UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid gave a keynote presentation at he 32nd Annual Forum of Parliamentarians for Global Action, in Istanbul. Ms. Obaid highlighted in her address that "when women are educated and healthy, and their rights are protected by law, they can reach their full potential and fully contribute to the development and security of their families, communities and nations."</p>

<p>Purnima Mane ,UNFPA Deputy Executive Director (Programme), gave a keynote lecture at the Leiden University College Research Centre, in Hague. Ms. Mane reminded in the lecture that "in all regions of the world, there are women standing up for peace and justice in very dangerous and difficult circumstances.".</p>