Diverse and inclusive women’s group to benefit all

15 October 2019, Rome - FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu today launched the first-ever FAO Women’s Committee, providing an inclusive, safe space that reflects the diverse and energetic nature of FAO’s female workforce.

The volunteer-based committee consists of FAO women with an impressive and wide array of expertise from the agency’s Rome headquarters, as well as representatives from its regional, liaison and country offices. The committee’s membership is drawn from a broad cross-section of FAO’s professional experience, age groups and cultures. The group aims to empower women, provide assistance through learning and extend its reach by fostering friendships.

“Work with others, hand in hand; share experiences, create enabling environments and expand your networks to seek solutions,” the Director-General said.

Those attending, from both the Rome headquarters and FAO’s global network, took the opportunity to speak at the first meeting, with many thanking the Director-General for supporting the establishment of the Committee and said they looked forward to contribute and to work together.

The Director-General emphasised that the Committee - whose creation marks a first for an organization of the UN - will be inclusive, enabling everyone to take part, to take care of women’s rights, politically, economically, culturally and biologically.

FAO Deputy Director-General Maria Helena Semedo will chair the group and Angelica Jacome is the Committee’s Executive Chief.