We would like to join the rest of the country to congratulate in advance all women on International Women’s Day to be celebrated tomorrow across the globe.
International Women’s Day, March 8 of each year, is celebrated in many countries around the world, including in The Gambia.
This day is celebrated every year, on the 8th of March, with the objective of highlighting the achievements and challenges, in the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women, at the national and global levels.
In The Gambia plans, are under way to celebrate International Women’s Day, by the UN team in the country tomorrow Thursday in Ndemban village in the West Coast Region under the theme: ‘The contribution of rural women in alleviating poverty’.
This day is when women are recognized for their achievements, without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, economic or political.
It is an occasion for looking back on past struggles and accomplishments and, more importantly, for looking ahead, to the untapped potentials and opportunities that await future generations of women.
The global event, which has been going from strength to strength, has become an event bringing women and all other stakeholders together annually, to promote and advocate for a more cohesive and coordinated intervention, towards effectively addressing the strategic and/or critical needs of women in the social, political, and economic spheres and processes.
Hundreds of events occur not just on this day, but throughout March, to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women.
Organisations, governments and women’s groups around the world choose different themes each year that reflect global and local gender issues.
Annually on 8 March, thousands of events are held throughout the world to inspire women and celebrate their achievements.
A global web of rich and diverse local activity connects women from all around the world, ranging from political rallies, business conferences, governmental activities and networking events through to local women’s craft markets, theatrical performances, fashion parades and more.
It is in this light that we want our governments to be aware of the need to protect and safeguard the rights of its citizens, and entrenched these rights and fundamental freedoms in their national constitutions.
While we understand that it is a daunting task to make our patriarchal society realize and accept the womenfolk to be equal partners in nation-building, we would acknowledge that quite a lot has been achieved, thanks to efforts by many women activists, some of whom have been in it with a lot of sacrifices.
However, while we acknowledge the achievements, we also know that there is still quite a lot left to be done in order to get justice for women.
So make a difference, think globally and act locally! Make everyday International Women’s Day!
“If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman.”
Margaret Thatcher
