International Women's Day 2007

Today, March 8th 2007 is International Women's Day 2007.

The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming a United Nations Day for Women's Rights and International Peace to be observed on any day of the year by Member States as per their historical and national traditions in December 1977. For the UN, International Women's Day has been observed on March 8 ever since.

But why devote a day solely to fête the world's women? In espousing the cause of all of the world's women, the UN General Assembly gave two bases: One was to acknowledge the fact that obtaining harmony and societal growth and the achievement of civil rights and fundamental liberty necessitate the dynamic contribution, parity and growth of women. The other was to recognise the involvement and contribution of women to the rise of international peace and safety and security.

The day's symbolism has a wider meaning for all women: It is an event to appraise how far they have travelled in their fight for parity, harmony and growth. It is also an occasion to bond and rally for momentous change. The United Nations' theme for International Women's Day in 2007 is "Ending Impunity for Violence against Women and Girls". Aggression and brutality against women is a type of inequity, bigotry and a breach of human rights. It produces myriad miseries, ends lives and leaves innumerable women existing in pain and fright in every corner of the world. Violence against women stops them from achieving their potential, limiting their fiscal development, and weakens overall growth. The extent of aggression against women is a reflection of the level and determination of prejudice and intolerance that women have to tackle.

Violence against women is neither unchanging nor unavoidable and could be drastically diminished, and eventually abolished, with crucial political resolve and wherewithal. (Sharmila Divatia, The Hindu)

***** Facts as they are at the present moment in time:

-- Female foeticide, illiteracy and discrimination against women are some of the gender issues that need urgent attention.

-- Women are joining the workforce in record numbers but they are still not paid as much as men, not educated as well and are more likely to get fired.

-- Rape is a weapon of war and the world fails to treat it as a crime.

-- Violence against women continues unchecked in every continent, country and culture, because it is frequently concealed or covered-up.

-- Globalisation and capitalist culture have reduced women to the level of `commodities' that can be traded.

As a man I'm ashamed of this sad state of affairs. It is my hope that as the days progress and education opens the minds of the 'blind', the plight of women will be redressed and discrimination ended for all time in all nations of the world.
Malaysian Government's 'Contribution' On This Day: New National Women Policy Soon