International Women’s Day 2013

International Women’s Day is globally observed on 8 March to celebrate the achievements of women without regard to national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political divisions. It is also known as the United Nations (UN) Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace. For 2013, the UN theme for International Women’s Day is “A promise is a promise: Time for action to end violence against women”.

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The International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation is observed every year on 6 February to raise awareness about this practice. Female genital mutilation of any type has been recognized as a harmful practice and violation of the human rights of girls and women. It reflects deep-rooted inequality between the sexes, and constitutes an extreme form of discrimination against women

25 November, the UN International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women is an occasion for UN agencies, governments, international organizations and non-governmental organizations to raise public awareness on violence against women, particularly women in the underprivileged sector of the society. The day reminds us that women around the world are subject to rape, domestic violence and other forms of violence, and that the scale and true nature of the issue often goes unnoticed. In 2012, the 16-day campaign will continue with the same global theme: "From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World: Let’s Challenge Militarism and End Violence Against Women."

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