Today is being observed globally as International Women’s Day. The day is to acknowledge the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity.
Significant activity is witnessed worldwide as groups come together to celebrate women’s achievements or rally for women’s equality.
The campaign also aims to encourage important conversations on why equal opportunities aren’t enough and why equal isn’t always fair.
Speaking to the key UN women’s rights group ahead of International Women’s Day today, the UN Secretary General António Guterres said gender equality is “300 years away”.
He referred to the latest estimates from UN Women, the UN organization dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women.
Guterres cited high rates of maternal mortality, girls being forced into early marriage, and girls being kidnapped and assaulted for attending school as evidence that hope of achieving gender equality “is growing more distant.”
In a message the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti welcomed the theme, which is “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality,”.
She said the theme highlights the role of innovative technology in promoting gender equality and meeting the health and developmental needs of women and girls.
