Today is International Women’s Day, March 8. It’s a day to recognize and celebrate, on a global scale, the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women and girls. It is also an opportunity to raise public awareness of the progress that has been made in achieving gender equality, and of the work that remains to be done in this regard.
Today, International Women’s Day is a day of unity, celebration, reflection, advocacy and action observed in countries around the world.
On this special day dedicated to celebrating women, we come together to recognize and honor the countless contributions of women throughout history and in our modern society. This year, the theme we have chosen, “Let’s discover our strengths”, is an invitation to explore the diversity and resilience that characterize every woman’s journey.
Each woman here, and those far away, has a unique story, woven from moments of joy, struggle and success. We are women of different origins, cultures and beliefs. We are women of all ages, young girls dreaming of the future, mature women who have made their way with perseverance. We are women of many talents, artists, scientists, entrepreneurs, activists, mothers, teachers, caregivers, leaders.
But International Women’s Day is more than just a celebration. It’s also a day of advocacy. We’re here to remind the world that, despite the progress made, women continue to face injustice and inequality. We must fight to ensure that every woman has access to education, to quality healthcare, to fair economic opportunities. We must fight to end violence against women, whether physical, emotional or structural.
Gender equality must not be a distant dream, but a tangible reality. It means that women must be fairly represented in all areas of society, from boards of directors to parliaments, from classrooms to research laboratories. It means that women must be paid equally for equal work, that their voices must be heard, and that women must have equal access to the labour market.
Together, we have the power to change things. Every little gesture, every action, every voice counts. By celebrating our individual strengths, we strengthen our collective ability to advance gender equality. We can inspire future generations to pursue their dreams without limits, to believe in their potential and to defend their rights.
Today, let’s commit to continuing to fight for a future where every woman can reach her full potential, where she is free to be herself without fear or limitation. Let’s commit to ensuring that International Women’s Day is not just a day of celebration, but also a day of transformation, a day when we commit to building a better world for all.
