News story: MDG Countdown 2013

Posted by on 20 September, 2013
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DFID and USAID are hosting an event, MDG Countdown 2013, on Tuesday 24 September during the UN General Assembly in New York, to showcase how girls and women are a force for change in helping the world achieve the Millennium Development Goals.

We can’t beat global poverty without investing girls and women and making sure gender equality is at the heart of the post-2015 framework. The MDG Countdown 2013 event aims to push for action towards the MDGs by sharing some of the most inspiring examples of women’s leadership and innovative projects that are transforming societies. By giving girls and women greater voice, choice and control over their lives, they are able to lift themselves, their families and countries out of poverty.

Follow the event

Follow the event on Twitter on Tuesday 24 September between 2.00-3.30pm Eastern Standard Time (7.00-8.30pm British Summer Time) by following #MDGCountdown or @DFID_UK and @USAID.

It will be moderated by Nicholas Kristof, New York Times journalist and co-author of Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide. There will be a range of speakers, including prominent female figures in government to women leading innovative programmes around the world. There will be speeches from:

  • Justine Greening, UK Secretary of State for International Development @JustineGreening
  • Rajiv Shah, Administrator, U.S. Agency for International Development @rajshah
  • Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria’s Minister of Finance @NOIweala
  • Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Executive Director of UN Women @phumzileunwomen
  • Geena Davis, Hollywood actress and UN Special Envoy for Women and Girls in the field of Technology @GDIGM
Amina from Faridpur, Bangladesh, is her own own boss thanks to the support she received from the UK funded BRAC's Targeting the Ultra Poor programme.
Amina from Faridpur, Bangladesh, is her own own boss thanks to the support she received from the UK funded BRAC’s Targeting the Ultra Poor programme. Picture: BRAC

The event will highlight case studies that touch on each of the 8 MDGs:

Millennium Development Goal What we’re doing to beat global poverty by investing in girls and women
MDG 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger See how we’s helping women in Bangladesh work their way out of poverty
MDG 2: Achieve universal primary education See how USAID is helping girls get an education in Afghanistan
MDG 3: Promote gender equality See how the UK is supporting Vital Voices to mentor and train women leaders in 144 counties
MDG 4: Reduce child mortality See how USAID is helping to reduce newborn mortality rates in Dominican Republic
MDG 5: Improve maternal health Learn how the Indonesian government is working to improve healthcare services to people living in remote islands
MDG 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases See how local women in Ethiopia are being trained to be the health heroes of their communities
MDG 7: Ensure environmental sustainability See how UK support is helping women living in poverty to become solar energy entrepreneurs in India
MDG 8: Global partnership for development  
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