Centenary of International Women's Day (IWD)- 1910 to 2010!

[Dr Rajesh Gopal]

Dear Friends,

It has been a century since the declaration of International Women's Day.

Eight of March every year is commemorated throughout the world as Women's Day and forms an integral part of the history of the working class women's struggle.

The historic event took place on 8th March, 1908 when about 15,000 women marched the streets of New York City demanding shorter hours, better pay and voting rights. They were the women workers of the garment companies, in the needle trade, working in appalling conditions in sweatshops. They also demanded an end to child labour. As the struggle intensified all over Europe and America, in 1910, at a Socialist International meeting in Copenhagen, an International Women's Day of no fixed date was proposed to honour the women's rights movement.

In 1911, Ms.Clara Zetkin, a leader of the working class women's movement, organized the first IWD in Germany and it was also celebrated in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland on 19 March. More than one million women and men attended IWD rallies campaigning for women's rights to work, vote, be trained, to hold public office and end discrimination. In 1913, IWD was transferred to 8th March. Since then the women's movement has made this day so well known that it is widely and popularly celebrated throughout the world. Seeing its popularity, the day is also being co-opted by the establishment to make women believe that the governments, capitalist, feudal and imperialist forces are much concerned about the welfare of women and to try and silence their struggles.

Let us commemorate the Centenary of the International Women's Day in our respective areas in an effective and a meaningful way.

We can definitely commemorate this important event by addressing the specific needs (in view of their additional social and biological vulnerability) of girls and women to HIV and AIDS and work for their empowerment (GSACS has been regularly observing ‘Tejaswini Saptah’ (week of the empowered women)in this week every year) through specific pursuits including the ones on the lines suggested by women’s rights organizations, say ,by:

1. Facilitating functional committees in various cities or states and generating the desired awareness through rallies, seminars or workshops.

2. Conducting campaigns by having poster exhibitions, distributing leaflets

doing cultural programmes etc.

3. Publishing literature on the history of the women's movement, the working class

movement and women's participation in it.

4.Supporting and strengthening all the ongoing endeavours of different people and organizations working in a committed manner for the desired outcome in the social sector.

This year also marks the 15th anniversary of the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the outcome of the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995.

In recognition of this important anniversary, the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day (which is observed worldwide on 8^th March) for the official

observance at UN Headquarters is "Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities: Progress for All".

Let us chalk out long term sustainable activities to effectively address the issues which may be ushered in/strengthened with the centenary celebrations.

Regards and best wishes,

Dr.Rajesh Gopal,

GSACS,Gujarat,India.

[Gaston]

Dear Joseph, I don't know if Zambia is submitting a proposal for the Global Fund Round 10, but it's focused especially on Community Systems Strengthening (CSS). The model gives quite some space for activities you are mentioning. The AIDS Competence Process has been funded several times through Global Fund grants.

Just a suggestion.

[Dr Rajesh Gopal]

It is the will and commitment of the person/organization which will determine the effectiveness of the pursuits.
There is no dearth of evidence to chalk out the strategies and interventions.
Regards and best wishes,
R.Gopal.

[Joseph chishala mutale]

There are a number of strategies that can be pursued in the quest to empower women in order for them to truly attain equal rights and equal opportunities.Have we considered thousands of women in remorte areas under oppression because of cultural and traditional norms which do not support gender equality?My organisation in Northern Zambia is trying to reach out to women in rural areas using traditional leaders as TCBPWRs(Tradition Community Based Promotors for women rights)As usual being in a third world country,funding for community trainings is a very big problem,we need help financially.Prince-Joseph Chibwemwamba Mutale.

[Nicole Rhonda Cole]

Give Thanks and praises to the Most High-Jah Rastafari!!!

[Nicole Rhonda Cole]

As Commissioner on the Women and Gender Equality Commission, I shall work tirelessly to ensure the rights of women are enshrined within new policy documents that are drafted to be read in Guyana's Parliament. Women are the poorest in the World and it is only through 'economic empowerment' can they truly attain 'equal rights and equal opportunites' house work must be valued as it is a cost if a Man were to contract the services of a Maid...

[Nicole Rhonda Cole]

As we approach another significant milestone in the quest to empower women, let us re-commit to the CEDAW declaration for women are still being oppressed, brutalised and killed on the basis of their sex...the UN Secretary General has deemed violence against women 'a public health threat'...where women are allowed to excel in their education, societies progress towards economic growth at a faster rate...hopefully this Anniversary will see more action than talk...Women are standard bearers of all Humanity...Let us value them!!!!!