Malaysian women peacekeepers of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) at a medal ceremony in Kawkaba, South Lebanon. UN Photo/Pasqual Gorriz
"On International Women’s Day, let us all pledge to do everything we can to overcome entrenched prejudice, support engagement and activism, and promote gender equality and women’s empowerment."
— UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres
2017 Theme: “Women in the Changing World of Work: Planet 50-50 by 2030”
International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities.
Each year the European parliament draws attention to a specific topic related to women´s situation on the occasion of International Women's Day on 8 March. This year we decided to highlight the issue of economic empowerment. Check out our infographic to see where more work is needed.
Women still earn less than men. In 2014 the gender pay gap was 16,7%. This is the equivalent of working for free for about two months a year or for one hour and 20 minutes a day.
WHO/C. Black
8 March 2017 – Access to contraception can allow adolescent girls and women to stay in school longer, opening up better economic opportunities and more independent, fulfilling futures. Every additional year of schooling for a girl increases her future earnings by 10% to 20%. On International Women’s Day, WHO calls for unequivocal commitment to gender equality and women’s and girls’ fundamental rights.
She decides on her health, her future
Dr Flavia Bustreo,
Assistant Director-General of the World Health Organization and Vice-Chair of GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance
Andy Aitchison
Each year on 8 March the global community recognizes International Women’s Day as a time to reflect on and celebrate progress made towards women’s rights, as well as to build momentum and support for further action. This year, the United Nations theme for the day is “Women in the changing world of work: Planet 50-50 by 2030”, referring to achieving true gender equity by the year 2030. This theme encourages people around the world to commit to effective implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 5: achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
“Progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals relies on unlocking the full potential of women at work,” said Dr Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Regional Director for Europe. “The health sector, being such an important employer of women, is a good place to start.”
