International Women's Day being observed today

Lahore: International Women's Day is being observed across the gobe including Pakistan on Sunday to honor achievements of women in various fields of life and renewed commitment to empower them.

This year’s theme of the Day is “I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights”.

Various ceremonies are scheduled to be held countrywide to highlight the importance of the day and create awareness to overcome bias against women.

Meanwhile, in his message to the nation on the Women's Day, Prime Minister Imran Khan said inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development could only be ensured by providing equal opportunities and a conducive environment to women.              

The Prime Minister reaffirmed his pledge to take all measures that would help the women to lead a safe, secure and prosperous life.               

He said it is indeed encouraging to see that the women are proving their mettle in every walk of life and achieving excellence in their respective fields at national and international level.

On the other hand, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on underscored the importance of gender equality ahead of the International Women's Day.

In a video message for the Day (March 8), Guterres said gender equality is fundamentally a question of power and "transforming the balance of power is essential."

He said it is essential "not only as a question of human rights, personal development, health and well-being. It is critical to solving some of the most damaging and intractable problems of our age."

Noting the prevalence of misogyny, the secretary-general pointed out that women's involvement in mediation and peace processes, climate action, building a fair globalized economy, and digital technologies is imperative for achieving better results.

The benefits of gender equality are not just for women and girls, but “for everyone whose lives will be changed by a fairer world”, the chief of UN Women said in her message for International Women’s Day (IWD) at UN Headquarters on Friday, being celebrated in New York, ahead of the official day.

Generation Equality is focussing on issues facing women across generations, with young women and girls at the centre.