Equality for women is progress for all : Celebrating Women's Day 2014
Originally called International Working Women's Day, 8 March started as a Socialist political event. International Women's Day was first observed as a popular event after 1977 when the United Nations General Assembly invited member states to proclaim March 8 as the UN Day for women's rights and world peace.
More than a century ago women called for better working conditions, peace and bread. Nearly 20 years after the Beijing Women’s Conference, and 15 years after the Millennium Summit, significant progress has been made regarding equality between women and men, but big inequalities still exist.
On the occasion of International Women's Day, Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the Commission, started her message by stating: 'Today, on International Women's Day, we celebrate the real transformation the world has witnessed in women's rights, thanks both to individual achievements and our common participation in political life. Women have made great advances, but there is still a long way to go to achieve a world free from gender-based discrimination. Equal access to education and health services and the chance to become a full participant in political life is everyone’s right and an essential ingredient of democracy. Long-term stability and development can only be achieved if violence and discrimination against women are addressed.'
Promoting gender equality and women's and girl's rights is a crucial part of the "unfinished business" of the Millennium Development Goals and key to accelerating global sustainable development beyond 2015. This is why the EU considers gender equality, women's empowerment and the promotion of the rights of all women and girls a universal priority in the Post-2015 framework. Progress will not be possible without transparency and accountability and for that we need democratic governance as a central element for achieving the Millennium Development Goals and future Sustainable Development Goals. The EU also emphasizes the need to eliminate and prevent all forms of violence against women and girls, combining legislative and non-legislative measures, and addressing the root causes of violence, in the fight to end impunity and ensure accountability.
The EU is committed to accelerate efforts to empower women and girls worldwide, to promote and fulfil women´s rights and human rights, and to promote and guarantee gender equality, so that every day is women's day.
Links:
International Women's Day - United Nations Website