Some 100 years ago, Clara Zetkin established the International Women’s Day on March 8 (voted in 1910 by the women’s movement). During the International Year of Women in 1975, the UN celebrated the International Women’s Day, and since 1977 has designated March 8th as the official Day for the Rights of Women and World Peace.
On this centenary, we, women from different corners of the world, demand actions not symbolic proclamations from world leaders.
We appeal to the UN Secretary General, OSCE Secretary General, NATO Secretary General, Council of Europe Secretary General and heads of multilateral organizations to address stakeholders and member states, in the spirit of the Women Peace and Security Agenda/WPS, to:
- Recognize the women’s critical role in peace building, for risking their lives across the world’s conflict zones, in promoting and defending world peace and upholding democratic rule of law, and justice for all.
- Release from prisons, women prisoners of war, human rights activists, and journalists whose only crime is upholding peace, justice for all, and democratic rule of law by holding governments accountable.
- Invest true efforts to enhance the implementation of UNSC Resolution 1325 to help secure women’s participation in all peace negotiations to ensure sustainable peace.
PERHAPS ONLY THEN, WOMEN OF THE WORLD CAN TRULY BEGIN TO CELEBRATE
THE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY IN ITS FULL MEANING OF EMPOWERMENT.
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Democracy Today Team and its board:
Jackie Abramian (USA)
Audrey Kalajian (USA)
Heidi Meinzolt (Germany)
Carolann S. Najarian (USA)
Andrea Martin (USA)
Gulnara Shahinian (Armenia)
Elmira Sargsyan (Armenia)
Anna Ishkhanyan (Armenia)
Viktoria Avakova (Armenia)
Hasmik Edilyan (Armenia)
Liana Torosyan (Armenia)
Lusine Torosyan (Armenia)
Further signatures:
Bernstein Elizabeth (Russia)
Muna Luqman (Yemen)
Liza Nissan Hido (Iraq)
Magda Zenon (Syprus)
Anki Wetterhall (Sweden)
Mina Damnjanovic (Serbia)
Gohar Markosyan (Armenia)
Judith A Saryan (USA)
Nina Potarska (Ukraine)
Eka Horstka (Armenia)
Luisa del Turco (Italy)
Carmit Lubanov (Israel)
Jineth Bedoya Lima (Colombia)
Fadwa Alshaer Khawaja (Palestine)
Rose Mbone (Kenya)
Kristina Kilanava (Georgia)
Ann Graham (USA)
Razia Sultana (Bangladesh)
Tolekan Ismailova (Kyrgyzstan)
Human Rights Movement “Bir Duino-Kyrgyzstan”
Sophia Shakirova (Russia)
Nadezda Azhgikhina (Russia)
Molly Freeman (USA)
Gorana Mlinarevic (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Katie Economidou (Cyprus)
Shirine Jurdi (Lebanon)
Eliko Bendeliani (Georgia)
Victoria Scheyer (Germany)
Lesly Ann Foster (South Africa)
Inna Ayrapetyan (Russia)
Kheda Omarkhadzieva (Russia)
Diana Francis (UK)
Julia Kharashvili (Georgia)
Nino Chipchiuri (Georgia)
Anush Ghavalyan (Armenia)
Malika Abubakarova (Russia)
Anna Chernova (Russia)
Andrea Marikovszky (Hungary)
Annalisa Milani (Italy)
Helena Nyberg + WILPF CH,
Jennifer Menninger (Germany)
Dr. Hanan Awwad
Mrs.Nariman Far
