It's time for action to end violence against women: UN

01 March, 2013

The UN has declared the theme for International Women's Day (IWD) 2013 as 'A promise is a promise: Time for action to end violence against women.' In the beginning of this year, it declared the year's theme as 'The Gender Agenda: Gaining Momentum'. The main focus of IWD observance is to accord respect and appreciation towards women and celebrate their economic, political and social achievements.

Each year, IWD is observed on March 8 to mark the political and social awareness of the struggles of women worldwide. Thousands of people hold events for Oxfam on IWD by joining the celebration by visiting the website and registering their events. The 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.

"The story of women's struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights," claimed Gloria Steinem in her statement.

According to the UN, the world community requires to recognize the fact that securing peace and social progress along with the full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms can only be accomplished by an active participation, equality and development of women. Further, IWD is an occasion to review women's struggle for equality and development as well as an opportunity to unite, network and mobilize for meaningful change in society.