International Women’s Day is celebrated internationally each year on 8 March.
While this date has been celebrated since the early 1900s, the United Nations has observed March 8th as International Women’s Day since 1977 to highlight that active participation, equality and development of women is necessary for securing peace, social progress and human rights; and to acknowledge the contribution of women to the strengthening of international peace and security.
This year’s theme is “Investing in Women and Girls” with a strong focus on country level financing for gender equality. Highlighting this issue, the priority theme of the 52nd session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), which concluded today 7 March 2008, was “Financing for gender equality and the empowerment of women”. The Secretary General of the United Nations Ban ki Moon , in his message , highlighted the fact that violence against women must stop and their economic freedom must be assured .
Ismat Jahan , the Permanent Representative from Bangladesh in the United Nations welcomes Sevretary General’s message .
