ECSU community celebrates International Women`s Day
Ethiopian Civil Service University academic and administrative staff, students and representatives of yeka sub city wereda 09 celebrated the 37th & International Women`s Day (March 8) on 22 March, 2013 at the University`s Abai hall.
Speaking in the occasion W/ro Abay Akemachew, Head of Center for Gender and Development, said
" International Women` s day has its beginning in March 8, 1908.Around 15,000 women demonstrated in the New York City opposing the gender based discrimination. "
The women carried slogans in the occasions: Voting rights, 8 working hours, Equal pay for equal work, and Child labor exploitation among others, said Abay.W/ro Abay also expressed the three pillars of the celebration of the International Women`s Day as:
1. To honor the martyrs who contributed for the respect of human and democratic rights of women and other social and economic rights,
2. To assess the opportunities and challenges with regard to gender equity.
3. To put the way forward.
W/ro Abay pointed out economic independence, gender based violence, harmful traditional practices and the outlook that women have for themselves and men for women being flawed as problems to tackle the wellbeing of women.
A panel discussion with a theme¨ Ending Gender Based Violence¨ was also held. An expert from Yeka sub city wereda 09 women, children and youth affairs office highlighted the practical activities carried out by the office regarding gender based violence. The variety of songs, poems and a dialogue between students were part of the celebration.
It was learnt that this year`s theme of the celebration is ¨A promise is a promise: Time for action to end violence against women.¨