8th MARCH INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

THE WORLD TO OBSERVE WOMEN’S DAY

Women and men throughout the world will observe International Women’s Day on Saturday 8^th March, the idea which travelled a long bumpy way for more than one hundred years.

The International Women’s Day originated from International Working Women’s Day many years ago and finally,  in 1977 the United Nations General Assembly invited U.N. Member States to proclaim March 8 as U.N. Day for Women’s Rights and World Peace.

It is generally observed that on this day people are reminded  to pay respect, appreciation and sincere love towards women. Many countries review women’s economic and  political rights and social achievements in their own prevailing scenario. The parameters may differ from country to country but the central idea is to ensure that women get equal opportunities as the men folk get.

Lions Clubs International has always been emphatic in promoting the idea of getting more women members in the clubs and in leadership positions. There are privileges and sometimes prerogatives in matters concerning  international dues for women spouses  joining the organization.  Families are also encouraged to join the clubs. By way of a quick estimation, out of nearly 1,400,000 Lion Members, 30% are women members in Lions Clubs International, considered to be the biggest service organization in the world.

More info: The Sub District 411B comprising Tanzania and Uganda has a total of 1160 Lion Members out of which,  women folks are only 250 Members. The First Vice District Governor of the sub district is Lion Night Ndyarugahi (from Uganda) who is likely to step in as next Governor in the Lionistic Year 2014/2015. She is spouse of Past District Governor and the current Multiple Council Chairperson Lion Polly Karimari Ndyarugahi.

A couple of years ago, an international women’s symposium was organized by Lion Members (women) in Dar es Salaam to observe the International Women’s Day. 

Just a reminder: The theme for IWD in 2012 was “Empower rural women, end poverty & hunger”. And last year (2013) the theme was “A promise is a promise: Time for action to end  violence against women”.

 The reminder is to re-awaken the political and social awareness of the struggles for women world-wide and are examined in a hopeful manner.

Story by Abdul Hai