Message from Soroptimist International Club of Victoria |08 March 2014

‘Women’s Day is the time to re-evaluate the equality of women to men’

Women’s Day today is the time for us to re-evaluate the equality of women to men, Soroptimist International Club of Victoria chairperson Eurika Naidoo has said in her message to all women for the occasion.

Mrs Naidoo’s message reads:

“As we celebrate the 103rd anniversary of International Women’s Day today, we celebrate not only the strides that have been made to advance women’s rights; it is a pause to re-evaluate the equality of women to men; a remembrance and honour to our girls and women heroes who are making history in societies across the world, and a time to appreciate and pay tribute to our hard working, inspiring, loved and admired women.

“It is a day each year that we come together as women and men, as the youth and the elderly and as leaders of communities, religions, businesses and nations to cast an objective eye on where women stand, and reflect on the obstacles that still remain. It is a day we recommit ourselves to working harder for gender equality, and for the betterment of women.

“This year’s theme – ‘Equality for women is progress for all’ – emphasises how gender equality, the empowerment of women and women’s full enjoyment of human rights are the key essentials to economic and social development of a country. It also stresses the vital role of women in our society as the real agents of development. As we celebrate Women’s Day today, let us take time to reflect on the issues facing the women in our country, the most glaring one being domestic violence. Let us together work on ending such violence against women, be it physical, sexual, psychological or economic, as it is one of the most deadly and widespread violations of women’s rights and human dignity across the world. We, women are the ones who should be the refuge for our children when they run for shelter from violence and other challenges. There is a saying that goes: “Where women are fully represented, societies are more peaceful and stable and where women are educated and empowered economies are more productive and strong.”

“On behalf of the Soroptimist International Club of Victoria, I wish all Seychellois women a very Happy Women’s Day!”