Thursday, 8 March 2007
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY 2007

On 8 March every year, the United Nations observes International Women's Day. The day is designed to recognise the fact that securing peace and social progress and the full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms require the active participation, equality and development of women; and to acknowledge the contribution of women to the strengthening of international peace and security. You can read more about the history of International Women's Day here.

The theme for 2007 is 'ending impunity for violence against women and girls'. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has drawn attention to the devastating toll violence takes "on women's lives, on their families, and on society as a whole". You can read the Secretary-General's message in full by clicking here.

Violence against women and girls continues to receive attention by governments at the United Nations. Security Council resolution 1325 on women, peace and security, adopted in 2000, brought to the fore the issue of sexual and gender-based violence in armed conflict and post-conflict situations.

The Beijing Platform for Action - a global blueprint to achieve gender equality - reiterates that violence against women and girls violates their human rights, and prevents them from fully enjoying their fundamental freedoms.

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has created two factsheets for International Women's Day. Click to read 'violence against women and girls' and 'impunity and the prosecution of sexual violence'.

Click here to visit the official UN website for International Women's Day 2007