By Emb Hashmi
International woman’s day is a day to celebrate the beauty the success and achievements of woman from all walks of life, to showcase the miracle that is woman kind.
8 March every year for over100 years, thousands of events are held throughout the world were woman can rejoice and celebrate their achievements.
IWD as it is commonly referred to have such a strong following that major corporations have diarised their own activities such as Google search engine that even change its logo on its global search pages
The United States even designates the whole month of March to IWD.
IWD India
India celebrated IWD in 2012 by giving housewives, students and professionals their chance to rise from the ranks and follow their political dreams and ambitions, as Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit has reserved half the seats in the new municipal corporations for women to be nominated from all walks of life.
IWD Pakistan
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani promised sustained determination for the immediate implementation of reforms to empower women during a televised address from Islamabad’s Convention Centre March 8 during Pakistan’s International Women’s Day celebrations.
Also young women participate in an art competitions as part of the National Women at Work Festival in Islamabad on the March 8.
Efforts to empower women in Pakistan started with the late Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, when she became the first female prime minister in the Muslim world, Gilani said.
Government officials always re-promote their efforts to legislate woman’s rights during IWD as one minister was quoted in saying “The laws made for women’s rights protection are a big achievement, and we will do more to protect and promote womenfolk.”
IWD Bangladesh
Every year on IWD Day in Bangladesh, the National Girl Child Advocacy Forum (NGCAF) of which The Hunger Project (THP) that Bangladesh is a convening member adopts a theme and organises a celebration to commemorate and inspire woman.
The multi-coloured events are made up of members and supporters from almost 35 organisations who come together to celebrate.
IWD Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka join the world in celebrating the International Women’s by holding special ceremonies that are held in places such as the Temple Trees which was previously under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Sri Lanka has in many ways recognised the economic advantages of educating and empowering women. It was ranked 16th in the world for gender equality in the Global Gender Gap Index in 2010, way ahead of many developed countries as the Netherlands occupied number 17, The United States No. 19 and Canada No. 20.
IWD South Africa
In South Africa the IWD the African National Congress (ANC) wishes all women of the world a well-justified International Women’s Day.
The ANC said “in celebrating this day, we would like to pay tribute to the gallant women of South Africa who despite the pressures of triple oppression (racism, imperialism and sexism), managed to steadfastly confront issues that relegated them to second class citizens and deprived them of their place in society.”
IWD Birmingham UK
Anjum Khan the vice chair of the IAB, told Asian World that their event to celebrate IWD reflects not just business woman that they present but woman across the board.
The line up the IAB IWD event includes
Compere Noreen Khan (BBC Asian Network) Guest Speakers include Georgie Moseley, Founder & Chairman for Help Harry Help Others (HHHO) & Seema Jaya Sharma the survivor and the new face of Cancer Research UK.
Asian World wish everyone a happy International Woman’s Day.
