Bangkok--8 Mar--UN
Marked for the first time in four European countries in 1911, International Women’s Day has become acritical rallying point to build support for women’s rights andparticipation in public spheres, celebrated in most countries around the world.
The 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day, to be observed at the UN Conference Centre in Bangkok on 8 March 2011, will be an important milestone in the pursuit of gender equality and women’s empowerment. The United Nations will mark this centenary with a special event celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women in the Asian and Pacific region.
“The convergence in 2011 of 100 years of International Women’s Day and the birth of UN-Women is a momentous occasion”, stated UN-Women East and Southeast Asia Regional Programme Director, Ms. Moni Pizani ahead of theevent. “While International Women’s Day over the past years has also
highlighted the numerous challenges that still need to be overcome to achieve gender equality, UN-Women will now give women and girls a strong and unified voice in our endeavour to achieve the goals of equality, development and peace for all, everywhere”.
Organized by the UN Thematic Working Group on Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women, which brings together some 20 UN agencies, the event will have a special significance this year since 2011 also marks the launch of UN-Women, the newest United Nations organization launched as a powerful driver of women’s equality. Formally known as the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, UN-Women combines four previous UN bodies and represents the United Nations’ most ambitious effort ever to accelerate actions to achieve gender equality.
Ms. Nanda Krairiksh, Director, Social Development Division of ESCAP and co-chair of the Thematic Working Group on Gender Equality stated: “A strong momentum for change has been built and it is our shared responsibility to deliver on our promises. Without the contribution of women and girls, no society can truly prosper”.
A highlight of the commemoration at the UN in Bangkok will be a session on “Voices of Young Women: Envisioning the Future”, featuring young women from different sectors of society presenting their thoughts and aspirations in relation to this year’s theme: “Equal access to education, training and science and technology: Pathway to decent work for women”.
Ms. Disha Subramaniam, a 14-year old student who will take part in the discussion, commented: “Despite all the issues plaguing our world, I think that being a young women in the 21st century is exciting. Our voices are slowly being heard, things are gradually changing and it’s quite a thrilling thought to know that I am a part of it”.
"We need to make it a priority for women to fully benefit from new technologies and to contribute their innovation potential to society”, Ms.Krairiksh added.
Note to Editors:
You or your representatives are cordially invited to attend this event, which will take place on Tuesday 8 March, at United Nations Conference Centre (CR 4) from 13.30 to 14.30 hours.
For further information, please contact:
Wanphen Sreshthaputra, Social Development Division, United Nations
ESCAPTel: +66 2 288 1586, Cell: + 66 81 824 38 25,
E-mail:
[email protected]
Alice Ruxton, UN-Women East and Southeast Asia Regional Office
Tel: + 66-2-288 22 16, Cell: + 66 80 610 28 34, E-mail:
[email protected]
Thawadi Pachariyangkun, United Nations Information Services,
Tel: +66-2-288 1861, Cell: + 66 81 634 38 76,
E-mail:
[email protected] and
[email protected]