Over 60 Syrian women participate in workshop on occasion of IWD

More than 60 Syrian women from several provinces have taken part in a workshop organized by the ‘Civil Syria’ Association in the ‘Sheraton’ hotel in Damascus on the occasion of the International Women’s Day (IWD).

The participants in the workshop started yesterday under the title ‘ Women from my homeland’ discussed three main topics related to the situation of woman in education, law and politics.

Founder of the ‘Civil Syria’ Association Mrs. Roba Mirza told the official news agency (SANA) that the workshop aims to reach recommendations including projects that could be carried out on the ground after discussing the situation of woman in each field and the difficulties facing her.

“On April 17th, a second workshop will be held to follow up the recommendations adopted in this workshop, ” she added.

The ‘Civil Syria’ Association was founded in 2011 and it works on enhancing national belongingness.

“Step It Up for Gender Equality”

The International Women’s Day is marked every year on March 8th.

The 2016 theme for International Women’s Day is “Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality”.

The idea of this theme is to consider how to accelerate the 2030 Agenda, building momentum for the effective implementation of the new sustainable development goals, especially goal number five -Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls- and number 4 –Ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning. The theme will also focus on new commitments under UN Women’s step it up initiative, and other existing commitments on gender equality, women’s empowerment and women’s human rights.

The UN website said that Some key targets of the 2030 Agenda:

•       By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and Goal-4 effective learning outcomes.

•       By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care and preprimary education so that they are ready for primary education.

•       End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.

•       Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.

•       Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation.

“Let us devote solid funding, courageous advocacy and unbending political will to achieving gender equality around the world. There is no greater investment in our common future,” UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, said.

Basma Qaddour