Ethiopia to mark International Women’s Day

Addis Ababa, March 5, 2013 (WIC) - The International Women's Day (IWD), March 8, will be marked with the view to highlighting issues related to women empowerment, successes and promoting gender equality.

The Day will be observed for 37th and 102nd times nationally and internationally respectively in Assosa, Benshangul Gumuz State.

As learnt from sources, IWD 2013 is the day which will be marked with the themes: “We shall continue fueling the Ethiopian Renaissance initiated by the late Prime Minister Meles Zenawi through strong organized women participation.” and “A promise is a promise: Time for action to end violence against women.” at home and internationally respectively.

In a press briefing held at the Ministry’s Head Office yesterday, Women, Children and Youth Affairs State Minister, Firenesh Mekuria said: “While we commemorate March 8, we evaluate activities and benefits registered to benefit women as their participation in the country's economic, political and social spheres accomplishments so far has been great.

The Day would also encourage women to be much more committed for further achievements. Currently, various measures are being taken by the government to ensure women’s benefit from every aspect of development.

The state minister also indicated that March 8 in Ethiopia will be celebrated at Assosa, Friday, March 8, at national level with the theme: “We shall continue fueling the Ethiopian Renaissance initiated by the late Prime Minister Meles Zenawi through strong organized women participation.”

Besides, the Day would be observed through conducting awareness raising activities, evaluating the women's participation and benefits witnessed so far and facilitating favorable conditions in ensuring women equality in social, economic and political activities, Firenesh added.

The tremendous efforts to honor the lives and work of women during the month of March can be difficult to untangle. On Friday, 8 March 2013, groups around the globe will celebrate International Women’s Day.

Last year, the theme of IWD was Empower Women – End hunger and poverty.
The Day has been observed since early 1900's, a time of great expansion and turbulence in the industrialized world that showed booming population growth and the rise of radical ideologies.