Celebrating International Women's Day

Lifestyle Monday 08/March/2021 07:32 AM
By: Times News Service
Celebrating International Women's Day

To honour women and their contribution in building the society, the United Nations announced March 8 as International Women's Day.  Celebrated on March 8 every year, this day is commemorated to honour the achievements of women. This year, the theme for International Women’s Day is “Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world,”  It is to celebrate the tremendous efforts by women and girls around the world in shaping a more equal future and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and highlights the gaps that remain.

According to a statement released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP, "This year’s International Women’s Day is like no other. As countries and communities start to slowly recover from a devastating pandemic, we have the chance to finally end the exclusion and marginalization of women and girls. But to do that, we need immediate action. Women must have the opportunity to play a full role in shaping the pivotal decisions being made right now as countries respond to and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic – choices that will affect the wellbeing of people and the planet for generations to come.

"To do this, we must break down the deep-seated historic, cultural, and socio-economic barriers that prevent women from taking their seat at the decision-making table to make sure that resources and power are more equitably distributed. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is working with countries across the globe to address these inequalities.

"Despite the barriers, women, especially young women, are at the forefront of diverse and inclusive movements for social change -- online and in the streets. That includes their leading role in taking a stand against climate change, fighting for a green economy and pushing for women’s rights. And we know that more inclusive leadership and representation leads to stronger democracies, better governance, and more peaceful societies.

"To build forward better from the COVID-19 crisis, and to get the Global Goals firmly back on track, we cannot simply return to the world we had before. We must do things differently. That means shattering the barriers that hold women and girls back. This year’s International Women’s Day is a rallying cry for Generation Equality. It is time to finally fully harness the power of women’s leadership to realise a more equal, more inclusive and more sustainable future."