As today marks the celebration of International Women’s Day, I will use this medium to congratulate and salute the impeccable, immense and immeasurable contributions of women globally.
The theme for this year’s celebration, “Press for Progress’ sums up the importance and the need for women to be celebrated, empowered and engaged in the societal and nation-building agenda.
Celebrating women worldwide is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change where needed and to celebrate acts of courage, sacrifices, and determination of women who have played extraordinary roles in building homes, families, societies, and nations.
This day should also serve as a reminder, a point of reflection and a moment of bringing to an end the abuse, injustices, inequalities, torture, marginalization and outmoded cultural practices that inhibit and thwarts the efforts of women involvement and participation in decision making and nation building.
Just as the keyboard cannot produce melodious tunes without the combination of both the black and white keys, there cannot also be rapid development globally without the involvement and contributions of women in the development agenda.
To this end, I wish all women happy International Women’s Day.
