The spirit of honoring, safeguarding and protecting women needs 365 days a year with assiduousness. All days are women’s days. The need to celebrate March 8 is just to remind the call to shape today as well as the future to ensure the security and benefit of women in all sectors. Women are still suffering from gender based violence and discriminations. It is important to break all the challenges that women are facing. Gender-based violence or discrimination must be eliminated and women have to enjoy better livelihoods.
Though, everyone has a responsibility, women have to exert collective efforts based on a common agenda to break the chain of the vicious circle of the problems they are facing and to empower women. All stakeholders must play their part to realize full participation of women in all national activities.
President Sahlework Zewde said during her message in connection with this year’s March 8 celebration
Women and girls have just as much right to access the digital world and prosper in it as men and boys. Their creativity, knowledge and perspectives can shape a future where technology contributes to transforming social norms, amplifying women’s voices, pushing forward against online harassment, preventing the perpetuation of algorithmic biases, and distributing the benefits of digitalization as the great equalizer to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
Sima Bahous, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women stated on her statement in connection with International Women’s Day
Building an equal environment for women and eliminating gender based discrimination and violence accelerates societal and national development. It helps to improve livelihoods of households, society and national development as well.
It is important to remember that Ethiopia has a long history of protecting women’s rights practiced during the ancient society. Yeqaqe Wurdiwot struggled against superiority of men and discriminations against women 150 years ago in Ethiopia. We have to remember that struggle to build a better and equitable environment for women.
Gender equality is not limited only to safeguarding women from gender based attacks but also creating suitable and favorable environment to improve livelihoods of women in all sectors. Ergoge Tesfaye (PhD), Minister of Women and Social Affairs said during closing ceremony of this year’s March 8 celebration by the Ministry.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 11 MARCH 2023
