In 1993 Gro Harlem Brundtland formed and chaired the World Commission on Environmental Development, and received a 2004 Blue Planet Prize for her promotion of sustainable development. In 1998, Gro Harlem Brundtland was elected as director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO). Her husband, Arne Olav Brundtland, an academic and researcher, has held political office as a member of the Conservative Party in Norway.
Selected Gro Harlem Brundtland Quotations
• Women power is a formidable force. [source]
• Women will not become more empowered merely because we want them to be, but through legislative changes, increased information, and redirection of resources. It would be fatal to overlook this issue. [source]
• Girls and women who are denied access to education, information and real forms of economic, social and political participation are particularly vulnerable. Some political regimes favour vaccination of young boys over young girls. It is totally unacceptable and we need to speak out against such practices. [speech, 1998, Paris]
• Never have so many had such broad and advanced access to health care. But never have so many been denied access to health. [speech, 1998, Paris]
• We are working towards a shared vision of the future for health among all the world's people. A vision future in which we develop new ways of working together at global and national level. A vision which has poor people and poor communities at its centre. And a vision which focuses action on the causes and consequences of the health conditions that create and perpetuate poverty.
• It is simple, really. Human health and the health of ecosystems are inseparable. [speech, 2000, Camberra]
• The myth that men are the economic providers and women, mainly, are mothers and care givers in the family has now been thoroughly refuted. This family pattern has never been the norm, except in a narrow middle-class segment.
More About Gro Harlem Brundtland
More Women's Quotes:
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
Explore Women's Voices and Women's History
- Women's Voices - About Women's Quotes
- Biographies
- Today in Women's History
- Women's History Home
About These Quotes
Quote collection assembled by Jone Johnson Lewis. Each quotation page in this collection and the entire collection © Jone Johnson Lewis 1997-2009. This is an informal collection assembled over many years. I regret that I am not be able to provide the original source if it is not listed with the quote.
Citation information:
Jone Johnson Lewis. "Gro Harlem Brundtland Quotes." About Women's History. URL: http://womenshistory.about.com/od/quotes/a/brundtland.htm . Date accessed: (today). (More on how to cite online sources including this page)
