More determined effort essential for Lankan woman to regain just position in society

First Lady in International Women’s Day message states:

COLOMBO: First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa has sent the following message to mark International Women’s Day which falls today:

“I am pleased to send a message of greetings on the occasion of International Women’s Day, which falls on March 8, and has been celebrated for over 95 years.”

“Inspired by the commemorations in honour of working women in America, the German Socialist Klara Zetkin organised International Women’s Day in 1911. This followed the decision by the Socialist International in Copenhagen in 1910 to establish a Women’s Day, international in character, to honour the movement for women’s rights and assist in achieving universal suffrage for women.

On March 8, 1917 the Russian revolutionary and feminist Alexandra Kollontai and Zetkin organised the strike for ‘bread and peace’ led by women in St. Petersburg, which became known as the February Revolution.”

“International Women’s Day is an occasion marked by women’s groups around the world and it is also commemorated at the United Nations.”

“Although the new millennium has witnessed a significant change and attitudinal shift in thought among both women and society about women’s equality and emancipation, the ingrained complexity of patriarchy still remains.

The unfortunate fact is that women are still not paid equally to that of their male counterparts; women are still not present in equal numbers in business or politics; and, globally women’s education, health and violence against them is worse than that of men.”

“It is regretted that our society continues to be faced with the problems of violence against women and children, which needs addressing very urgently.

It is necessary for women to march forward guided by intelligent political thought not only to obtain equal rights and win their rightful place in society considering their unique role in the upbringing of the young, and hence of future generations. They must also take the lead against violence to women.”

“It is my sincere view that various women’s organisations have not yet reached their full potential in the struggle for the rights of women and children.

I am convinced that a more determined, vocal and united effort by all interested in women’s welfare is essential for the Sri Lankan woman to regain her just position in society and make real the United Nations theme for International Women’s Day this year, which is ‘Ending Impunity to Violence Against Women and Children,” the First Lady states in her message.