IIMSAM Middle East Office Observed International Women Day
IIMSAM Middle East Director & Goodwill Ambassador Dr. Naseer Homoud's message on International Women Day. He urged for equal participation of women in all stream of life and maintained that without ensuring empowerment of women Millennium Development Goals would not be accomplished.
- (1888PressRelease) March 08, 2011 - Observing the International Women Day Dr. Naseer Homoud, Goodwill Ambassador and Director of Middle East office for the Intergovernmental Institution for the use of Micro-algae Spirulina against Malnutrition (IIMSAM), the Permanent Observer to the United Nations Economic and Social Council said "it is time for states and all social actors to take direct action - not only through legislation, but also by introducing social policies, to fight discrimination against women. They must promote cultural change to make equality of women and men a reality." He said that to mark the 100th year of International Women's Day, IIMSAM Middle East Office will be celebrating the event with great enthusiasm. "All women have in some way or another contributed to building this great community of ours and to rejoice in that for International Women's Day on March 8 will be really exciting," he further added.
The Goodwill Ambassador said "the theme for this year celebration of IWD is Equal access to education, training and science and technology: Pathway to decent work for women. It is crucial to increase participation of women in education, science and technology since women by accessing equal rights in these spheres can excel in their respective fields and we have history to prove this contention. Whenever, wherever women are eligible for equal aces to facilities they have excelled and we have to ensure this success all over the globe and that's too without any discrimination and prejudice". Dr. Homoud also appreciated the efforts of activists working for women empowerment. He said "on the road of equality, which is fraught with so many pitfalls, those activists blazed a trail for women and girls here and around the world. We are forever indebted to them, and the least we can do is to continue their immense work".
Addressing the gathering assembled to mark this day at IIMSAM Middle East Office Dr. Homoud said "over the years, women's living conditions and social status have been greatly improved thanks to the unremitting efforts of the international community. Women are playing an ever bigger role in politics, economy, culture and various aspects of the social life. The legal status of women in world has improved in recent years, but progress is far too slow. There remains a great deal to be done. We need a major leap, with new policies and strategies. In spite of our proud ideals, world community is missing a leg, and that leg is true equality between men and women".
"On this day IIMSAM seriously demands upon the governments that in order to bring security and long term peace, the principle of justice and human rights must not be undermined and we request from governments to combat violence against women and immediately provide a ground for women to have access to justice. In this regard effective and practical strategies must be made and implemented", urged Dr. Homoud.
Dr. Homoud reminded that women are at core of United Nations Millennium Development Goals. He asserted that without equality and active participation of women, MDGs would not be accomplished. He said "in many parts of the world, cultural and social restraints keep women away from contributing to the welfare of their families. Of the world's people living in poverty, women form a significant proportion. The perceived value of a woman's work in the home or as a young bride frequently outweighs the value of her education. Nearly 800 million people over the age of 15 are illiterate, and two thirds of them are women". He went on to say "empowering women through education significantly impacts their survival rate and that of their children as well as the overall health and economic welfare of their families. By having an opportunity to acquire an education, a woman also helps to ensure the education of her own children. Seventy-five percent of children in developing countries who are not attending primary school have a mother who did not go to school".
"I am worried that the global financial crisis will have huge impact on the process of achieving the MDGs. I think we need a stimulus plan by the governments and international institutions such as the World Bank to assist the process of achieving the MDGs, especially those goals regarding girls and women, he appealed. He further asserted that investing in women and girls would be the breakthrough strategy for achieving the MDGs. "It seems fair to argue that without a great leap forward towards empowering women and girls, none of the MDGs will be achieved", said Dr. Homoud.
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