Each year, UPF and the Women's Federation for World Peace commemorate the UN International Women's Day (March 8) by bringing together women leaders to learn from each other about building peace at home, in the community, nationally and globally. Read UPF's Statement on the Status of Women.
The official United Nations theme for International Women's Day 2014 is Equality for Women Is Progress for All. "Countries with more gender equality have better economic growth. Companies with more women leaders perform better. Peace agreements that include women are more durable. Parliaments with more women enact more legislation on key social issues such as health, education, anti-discrimination and child support. The evidence is clear: equality for women means progress for all." - Excerpt of message by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
2014 observances
Argentina - A program in Buenos Aires
Canada - A forum in Toronto
Estonia - A program in Tallinn
Germany - A program in Stuttgart
India - Launch of a collegiate peace club at the University of Delhi
Indonesia - A program in Medan
Malaysia - A program in Kuala Lumpur
Nepal - A program in Kathmandu
Peru - A program at the Congress of the Republic in Lima
Portugal - A forum in Lisbon on Women - Family, Career and Society
Russia - Forums in Kazan, Novosibirsk, and Yekaterinburg
United Kingdom - A forum in the House of Lords
United States - A forum at the Rayburn House Office Building
From the UN's International Women's Day website: This year’s theme emphasizes how gender equality, empowerment of women, women’s full enjoyment of human rights and the eradication of poverty are essential to economic and social development. It also stresses the vital role of women as agents of development. With the 2015 deadline to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) around the corner, International Women’s Day is also an opportunity to review the challenges and achievements in the MDG implementation for women and girls.
ResourcesCeremonies for Reconciliation