International Women’s Day

Sunday March 8th marks the 101st anniversary of International Women’s Day. It is an opportunity to celebrate the economic, political and social achievements and progress made by women. Violence against women is one of the most widespread violation of human rights, one in three women will suffer some form of violence in her lifetime.

On March 8th as we celebrate women’s rights and independance it is crucial to remember that everything is not perfect, we cannot close the chapter on improving gender equality. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon stated

“violence against women cannot be tolerated, in any form, in any context, in any circumstances, by any political leader or by any government”

Let me put to you the following facts based on the reports of Amnesty International:

• In Saudi Arabia, women cannot vote, travel, drive, or work in most government offices without the explicit approval of husband or a male guardian.
• One in four women in Mexico has suffered physical, and sometimes sexual, violence at the hands of their partner. Thousands are put at risk of repeated abuse because weak or ineffective protection measures fail to ensure their safety.
• Over a quarter of women in Armenia have been hit or beaten by a family member and about two thirds have experienced psychological abuse yet the government says “domestic violence is not an issue for this country”.
• A 13 year old girl was stoned to death in Somalia on the 27th October 2008, by a group of 50 men who stoned her to death in a stadium in the southern port of Kismayu, in front of approx. 1,000 spectators.
• A 2006 study of schoolgirls in Malawi found that 50 percent of girls said they had been touched in a sexual manner without permission by either their teachers or a fellow student.
• Women are at greatest risk of violence from men they know. In Australia, Canada, Israel, South Africa and the United States, 40-70 per cent of female murder victims were killed by their partners (World Report on Violence and Health. Geneva: WHO 2002)

It is clear that action must be taken not only by governments and international bodies but by individuals. Violence against women and girls is a major human rights and public health concern.The Social Watch 2008 Gender Equity Index (GEI) for the first time, shows recent evolution and trends in bridging the gap between men and women in education, the economy and empowerment.

How can you help? Donate to Human Rights.

This is a worldwide issue which needs to be eradicated from society in order to move forward.

Happy Women’s Day!