There are now women ministers and diplomats in every continent and in most countries, and that is a trend which is only set to continue.  This offers the prospect that the agenda for women - equality, tackling poverty, ending violence against women, women's representation - can move beyond making demands of male dominated structures.

Now, women in parliaments and in Government, can themselves work together, not just to ask for change but to make change happen. Women are stronger when we all work together.

I strongly back the formation of the new UN woman's agency: we must keep the momentum of the September 14th resolution, ensure the agency is set up swiftly, and that it is led by women. On Monday 1st March I opened the "Commission on the Status of Women" in New York. To read a copy of my speech please click here.