Saturday, March 8, 2014

Editorial: We celebrate International Women’s Day

United Nations International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated annually worldwide on March 8 to highlight the social, political, and economic achievements of women, while drawing world attention to areas requiring further action. This year’s IWD theme “Equality for Women is Progress for All,” encourages advocacy for women’s advancement around the world in all aspects of life.

IWD will be observed at the UN headquarters in New York City, United States of America on March 7, 2014 before the 58th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women begins on March 10, 2014. In the Philippines, March is observed as National Women’s Month (NWM). The country usually marks IWD and NWM with various activities heralding the outstanding achievements of women leaders on the local and national level. These include film screenings, walks for a cause, medical missions, photo exhibits, seminars and consultative conferences, organized by relevant government agencies and academic institutions, media, and women’s organizations.

The United Nations IWD celebration began in 1975. In 1977, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming a UN Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace to be observed on any day of the year by member states, in accordance with their historical and national traditions. However, the UN has traditionally observed IWD on March 8.

The recent decades have witnessed an increase in women’s visibility as impressive role models in every aspect of life. National and international women organizations admit that much remains to be done, but IWD celebrations in the recent years have shifted from being mere “reminders about the negatives” to “a celebration of the positive gains.”

The Manila Bulletin, led by its Chairman of the Board of Directors Dr. Emilio T. Yap, President and Publisher Atty. Hermogenes P. Pobre, Executive Vice President Dr. Emilio C. Yap III, Editor-in-Chief Dr. Cris J. Icban Jr., Business Editor Loreto D. Cabañes, Directors, Officers, and Employees congratulate the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women headed by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, other Officers and Personnel, on the occasion of International Women’s Day 2014. CONGRATULATIONS AND MABUHAY!

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