International Women’s Day Celebrations

Thursday, March 8, 2018

Time Is Now: Rural and Urban Activists Transforming Women’s Lives

Hundreds of women, dressed in mostly black in solidarity with those breaking the silence, filled up the General Assembly Hall of the UNHQ, NY with little space for their men counterparts!!

The celebrations were beautifully conducted by Ms. Sade Baderinwa of WABC while The Secretary General, H.E. Antonio Guterres; the President of the General Assembly, H.E. Mr. Miroslav Lajčák; the Executive Director, UN Women, Ms. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka; and other distinguished delegates addressed the gathering.

A few note-worthy highlights that were raised were for there to be more involvement of women in administrative fields, equal pay, and to understand that rural women and girls are human beings too, and are to be treated with equal respect. As Ms. Geraldine stated “the most vulnerable in the rural areas are women and girls. The time is now!! We would and capitalize on this moment to help give these women their voice, empower them. We plan to rock the system!!”

Ms. Monica Ramirez addressing the audience

Ms. Monica Ramirez provided amazing farming statistics stating that there are 400,000,000 women are farmers in the world and 700,000 are in America. She reiterated that it is not acceptable in these times that women don’t have equal rights, pay, opportunities for education and politics. “We are not waiting for others to get us out – we are getting ourselves out.”

Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka (centre), Executive Director, UN Women, poses for a photo with Danai Gurira (right), Tony-nominated playwright, actor and activist, and Reese Witherspoon, Academy-award winning actor and activist

The enthusiasm in the gathering was pumped by the dynamic singing of Drew Olivia Tillman and the Broadway Singers. A couple of lyrics included: “Victory is in your veins. We shall shine. We are one woman.” with the entire hall joining in. It was fabulous and the energy was HIGH!