International Women’s Day, that we celebrate today on 8 of March, has via over decade’s long history seen not only the role of women transformed in society, but also women transforming societies. Through the streets of Tunis, Cairo and Manama, the voice of women carried the wave of change forward. It can not be lost on anyone that remarkable obstacles have indeed been overcome to avow that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. [:]

As in all struggles for freedom and rights, victory stands on shifting sands of time. It is for those women who have won their victories, to defend those who are yet to conquer theirs.

Those in need remain many. Many are inflicted by the disproportionate impact of armed conflict on women, in particular. Camps in Sri Lanka tell stories of suffering of Tamil women. Democratic Republic of Congo continues to inflict tremendous pain and suffering to its mothers, sisters and daughters. Pain of the mothers who have lost their children to arms in Colombia is much to bear.

While women now stand equal and their voices are heard far, it is still the women who suffer most once hostilities and unrest take hold. During the last century, as we have celebrated the International Women’s Day, we have overcome the challenge of self-rule. Now it is for us to overcome the challenge of violence, repression and abuse in times of war.