International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities.
“Achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls is the unfinished business of our time, and the greatest human rights challenge in our world.”— UN Secretary-General, António Guterres
It is also an opportunity to consider how to accelerate the 2030 Agenda, building momentum for the effective implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, especially goal number 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls; and number 4: Ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning.
Some key targets of the 2030 Agenda are:
- By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and Goal-4 effective learning outcomes.
- By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care and pre-primary education so that they are ready for primary education.
- End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.
- Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking, sexual and other types of exploitation.
- Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation.
On 8 March, join people from around the world and UN Women to seize the moment, celebrate, take action and transform women’s lives everywhere. The time is NOW.
Interested in finding out more about International Women’s Day? #PressforProgress videos. Try these links for local events: UN Women Aotearoa New Zealand and International Women’s Day 2018 – Canterbury Events.
The library has many resources (electronic and physical) on women’s rights, equality and related issues for your use, Women experiencing discrimination, 2016: Aotearoa New Zealand non governmental organisations report, may be a place to start if you are looking for some local information.
At Ara we have the Next Step Centre for Women which assists students to know themselves better, explore their options, update their skills and develop confidence in themselves. In 2012 they produced a book celebrating 25 years of the Next Step Centre for Women, Brave Enough to Wear Red Stockings. It is a moving read that tells the stories of 25 women who have been students here at Ara, where they have found support, gained self-esteem, and skills for employment.
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