8 March 2012 / Today is International Women's Day!

How are you  and your organization celebrating International Women's Day, 8 March 2012?

Some sports-related events from the International Women's Day website can be found HERE.

View our blog posts on women's issues HERE.

Let us know what you're up to by writing to us HERE.

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Extracts from the declaration by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon:

As we commemorate International Women’s Day, 8 March 2012 , gender equality and the empowerment of women are gaining ground worldwide. There are more women heads of state or government than ever, and the highest proportion of women serving as government ministers. Women are exercising ever greater influence in business. More girls are going to school, and are growing up healthier and better equipped to realise their potential.

Despite this momentum, there is a long way to go before women and girls can be said to enjoy the fundamental rights, freedom and dignity that are their birthright and that will guarantee their well-being.

[...]

Even those countries with the best records still maintain disparity in what women and men are paid for the same work, and see continuing under-representation of women in political and business decision-making.

On this International Women’s Day , I urge governments, civil society and the private sector to commit to gender equality and the empowerment of women – as a fundamental human right and a force for the benefit of all. The energy, talent and strength of women and girls represent humankind’s most valuable untapped natural resource.


In sport too, "the energy, talent and strength of women and girls represent humankind’s most valuable untapped natural resource": all the more reason to fight against those in the UN who officially and unofficially refuse the participation of women and girls in sport, or who only allow it in discriminatory fashion.