International Women's Day

picture by Maneesha Karan.
from w
It was good to see that many women in Labasa met together for International Women's Day as by now there is still concern about gender equality as the 'talk' doesn't always equate with reality.
Special Celebration (from Fiji Times
Wednesday, March 09, 2011
MORE than 500 women gathered at the Labasa Civic Centre to participate in International Women's Day celebrations yesterday. The women observed a minute of silence to remember women who had lost their lives to violence and abuse. The event was organised by the Labasa Women's Forum. Labasa Women's Crisis Centre project officer Sera Bogitini said women did not deserve to die horrific deaths, including being strangled, burnt, and stabbed to death.
-
and from Fiji Sun
Kutty sings ‘the strength of a woman’
writer : CAROLINE RATUCADRA
3/9/2011
It was a celebration with a difference at Labasa yesterday where women from different cultures took a day off from the usual household chores to celebrate their day - International Women’s Day. Women of various communities in the province of Macuata gathered in full force at the Labasa Civic Centre to mark the day.

A packed auditorium was a sure testament to how important the day, March 8, was for the women - the majority came from rural areas. More than 600 women from all walks of life shared music, laughter, role plays, dances and refreshments in unity. Some dressed up in colourful traditional attire while others opted to wear character costumes for the event.

Women were empowered to speak out about their experiences as mothers, wives, daughters and caregivers.

Chief guest at the occasion, Vodafone ATH Fiji Foundation executive, Ambalika Kutty encouraged women to honour themselves.

She spoke on the roles and strength of women in society. She said regardless of their past or present circumstances, the important thing was that everything happening or happened was for a reason. “By honouring ourselves and treating ourselves with respect, you set the stage up for others to treat you with respect. “It’s important to view yourselves and to motivate and inspire you to move out of powerlessness and limitation and into the fullness of who you are as a human being.”

The Labasa Women’s Forum organised the event incorporating a multiracial and religious programme.

Ms Kutty said women should always be respected because they contributed a lot towards the family, society and the economy. She encouraged women to exercise their rights and be treated as equal to the opposite sex. The rural women were encouraged not to work in isolation but to work hand in hand with charity organisations and non-governmental organisations. “Amidst all difficulties, I salute the women of the North for holding the fort even with minimal support provided in the past years,” Ms Kutty said. “However, now has come the time to work together hand in hand and educate our children, improve our health, sustain our environment and continue to make social and economic contributions towards national development which will benefit the communities of the North.”

The Eve of International Women's Day

from w
Monday is designated as International Women's Day and no doubt there will be talk in Fijian towns on the topic of respect for women and the often burdensome life for many women throughout the world. An apt story to see for yourself in a video entitled 'Water' made in Canada but about the life of Indian women who are forced to live in an ashram because they are widows (aged from eight to about seventy), set in the time of Gandhi's tours in 1938. It is a powerful film, quite different from the usual Bollywood excesses of colour and joyfulness. Truly, Eve got the blame for troubles in the Genesis myth, and there are many Eves in the world today. Fortunately there are many fearless women who speak up, stand up, and take opportunities to build up their oppressed sisters. That's what this special day reminds us to do.