In his opening statement at the IAEA's International Women's Day 2014 celebration, Director General Yukiya Amano said that women "made a huge contribution to scientific research" although they have not always been given the recognition they deserved. He also said that science and engineering are still male-dominated areas and as an international scientific organization the IAEA is aware of the need to "strive for gender balance." He also shared his own experience of reporting to the first female ambassador in the Japanese foreign ministry.