India contributes $1 million to UN women's body

India has contributed million dollar to the United Nations to help global efforts to ensure gender equality and empowerment of women.

India's Permanent Representative to the UN Asoke Mukerji yesterday handed over a cheque of $1 million to Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Under Secretary General and Executive Director of UN Women.

The contribution is the fourth instalment of India's multi-year pledge to provide five million dollars to UN Women (United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women).

Mukerji reaffirmed the India's steadfast commitment to the goals of gender equality, empowerment of women and gender mainstreaming, as enshrined in the mandate of UN Women.

He also encouraged UN Women to focus on increasing the use of information and communication technology for empowerment of women.

India was one of the founding members of the Executive Board of the UN Women.