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Equal opportunities for women, theme for Int'l Women's Day

by Nadira Gunatilleke

"Equal opportunities for women in all fields and all levels of employment will be the theme of this year's International Women's Day celebration on March 8. Women's Affairs Minister Amara Piyaseeli Ratnayake and Buddhasasana, Justice, Law Reform and National Integration Minister W.J.M.Lokubandara will be the chief guests of the national ceremony, Women's Affairs Ministry spokesman said.

The spokesman said that the main celebration will be held at the BMICH, Colombo on March 8 with the participation of 1500 women representing all fields. School girls from Visaka Vidyalaya, Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya, Wariyapola Gnanodaya Vidyalaya, Hindu College and Muslim schools will present five different cultural items during the ceremony.

Awards and certificates will be presented to the winners of the school art and poster competitions and women's arts and poster competitions organised to mark the occasion. Certificates and awards will also be presented to the winners of the home gardening competition and the best entrepreneur of the enterprises program implemented under the Ministry's revolving loan scheme.

Two main lectures will be delivered on the theme of Women's contribution towards the National development process at the BMICH. Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Law, University of Colombo, Savithri Gunasekara and the Director, Sri Lanka Foundation Institute (SLFI), Dr. Wijaya Jayatilleke will deliver the two lectures.

The International Women's Day originated to mark the protest launched by women who worked in a weaving factory in the United States of America in 1857 demanding a ten hour shift and equal salaries. (NG)

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