International Women’s Day

International Women's Day, celebrated internationally on 8 March every year, was observed at the United Nations this year on 6 March. The theme for 2008 was “Investing in Women and Girls.” The celebration had an intense focus on financing for gender equality at the country level. Click here for events sponsored by UNIFEM and National Committees for UNIFEM around International Women's Day.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon: “Investing in women and girls has a multiplier effect on productivity and sustained economic growth. No measure is more important in advancing education and health, including the prevention of HIV/AIDS. No other policy is as likely to improve nutrition, or reduce infant and maternal mortality. ... This year we find ourselves at the mid-point in the race to reach the Millennium Development Goals by the target date of 2015. Only by investing in the world’s women and girls can we expect to reach our destination. On this International Women’s Day, let us resolve to unite in this mission.”  more »  et aussi »  lea más » Read also Mr. Ban's remarks at the inter-agency event to mark IWD 2008.

UNDP Administrator Kemal Derviş: “‘Investing in women and girls’ ... is about changing the systems and attitudes that discriminate against women and prevent them from fully participating in and benefiting from the economies and societies in which they live. It is about bringing to an end archaic legislation that denies a daughter the right to inherit her father’s land and property; creating better policies for affordable, quality childcare and access to clean energy sources and water in the home, so that women can reconcile paid work and family life, and it is about empowering women to participate in public decision-making structures so that they have the means to shape social and economic policies.”  more »  et aussi »  lea más »

UNIFEM Executive Director a.i. Joanne Sandler: “For more than three decades, women's rights advocates have been working to place the urgency of ending violence against women on every national, regional, and international agenda. That work took a huge step forward with the kick-off of the [UNiTE to End Violence against Women] campaign and the Secretary-General's personal pledge to bring in men and world leaders. It is the kind of high-level commitment that is so badly needed. The campaign will add value and visibility to the efforts that governments, women's and other civil society organizations, UN and donor partners are making to combat gender-based violence and send the message that ending violence against women stands on par with other critical development goals.”  more »  lea más »

In 1977 the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution inviting Member States to proclaim a United Nations Day for Women's Rights and International Peace — International Women's Day — to be observed on any day of the year in accordance with their historical and national traditions. Since then, the United Nations Organization has observed March 8th as International Women's Day. The purpose of this day is to recognize the fact that securing peace and social progress and the full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms require the active participation, equality and development of women; and to acknowledge the contribution of women to the strengthening of international peace and security.

For the women of the world, the symbolism of International Women's Day has a wider meaning: It is an occasion to review how far women have come in their struggle for equality, peace and development. It is also an opportunity to unite, network and mobilize for meaningful change.

IWD Events Sponsored by UNIFEM and National Committees for UNIFEM

For further information, please visit the International Women's Day page on Womenwatch.