Namaste,
Good evening to everyone
We are gathered here virtually to celebrate the Women’s History Month to honour women’s contributions to culture, history, and society.
I would like to recall a resolution by the United Nations General Assembly adopted to mark the International Women’s Day, which says: “To recognize 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.”
This resolution initiated a powerful and global momentum for advancing women rights- politically, socially, and economically. Empowering women is the uplifting of society’s status- economically, socially, and politically around the world.
We find women assuming responsibilities in every sphere of our life. Legislature, executive and judiciary headed by women have been compassionate and shown their wisdom and rationality. It is encouraging to say that women have handled their responsibilities satisfactorily. They have shown that they are fully capable of leading in difficult times as was demonstrated during the during covid19 pandemic.
It is time for all of us wherever we live to focus on poverty, education, health, violence, armed conflicts, economic disparity. Investment in women’s education and health is an investment for a bright future. It is in this way that we can make Women’s history month relevant in every walk of life.
In fact, women have proved themselves better in every field not only in the country but also abroad. On the occasion of Women’s History Month, I would like to honor and appreciate all women, the stakeholders and organizations who are fighting for gender equality and women empowerment. Focusing on the improvement of women skill and knowledge according to their abilities is also essential for the achievement of sustainable development goals.
Education is the most powerful instrument of transformation, and one of the most important means of empowering women for self-confidence. Only education can motivate and make them capable of equal participation and equitable representation at all levels of the political process, public life, in each society and enabling women to articulate their concerns and needs.
The year 2020 was a year we all suffered from coronavirus pandemic. Women have been the victims of domestic violence during the pandemic. This is a fact we cannot ignore, and let yet another pandemic in the making affecting women.
If we look around, we find that the women leadership in several countries has proved better and exceled in overcoming the pandemic constraints. They have shown leadership, great strength, courage to help people in distress. Given the opportunities, I am so confident that women can show the leadership and produce better results.
In Nepal, women have worked shoulder to shoulder with men in democratic and social movements. Women participated in the first general elections held in 1959. My party Nepali Congress has recognized their contributions. The first ever elected government headed by B.P. Koirala had a women minister holding the health portfolio. Women have been the president of the country, vice president of the party, deputy prime minister, chief justice of the apex court, and deputy speaker of the parliament. This is just a few examples.
I express my respect for them and honour their leadership. Their leadership, courage, wisdom shown during the difficult times helps enrich the Women’s History Month.
This is an occasion to rededicate ourselves to the fulfillments of commitments we made in the past to advance the status of women at the national and global levels.
I thank Guru Dileepji for the opportunity in celebrating the Women’s History Month virtually together with all these great Global Women & Men Leaders. I learned a lot today and I say learning is never ending.
Jay Nepal
Thank you.
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