International Women’s Day - 2016

Women’s Day is celebrated throughout the globe on 8 March every year. Celebrating Women’s Day is an opportunity to appreciate the remarkable contribution of women to our society. This day is a day to honour the lives, grit and determination of women. The 2016 theme for International Women’s Day is ‘Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality’. The United Nations observance will reflect on how to accelerate the 2030 Agenda, building momentum for the effective implementation of the new Sustainable Development Goals. Women have not always shared the same rights, and still do not in many respects. This year’s theme will focus on the women who have paved the way towards our progress, yet at the same time, it is a reminder of the inequality that plagues society. We must continue to support our leaders, innovators, and risk-takers for thinking forward and expanding the possibilities for women around the globe.

In the mountains of the Hindu Kush Himalayas, women, have a unique relationship with their environment. As household managers, they play a critical role in sustaining and managing important environmental resources, with a rich bank of distinctive skills and knowledge. However, they are often more vulnerable and disproportionately affected by the environmental consequences of climate change and natural resource degradation. Achieving sustainable development in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region will require us to confront and transform the condition of women, and to continue down a path toward gender equality.

Keeping in view the importance of this day ICIMOD is planning to celebrate the IWD-2016 in Skardu, Baltistan in collaboration with the Government of Gilgit Baltistan, UNDP, AKRSP, WWF, local communities and MAFSO on 8 March. We look forward to developing a way forward for local livelihood improvement with larger focus on women empowerment in Baltistan.

Objective

To raise awareness about gender equality and assess the scope of pro-women technologies for women empowerment in the local communities of Baltistan

Output

A way forward shall be developed on the basis of discussions and feedback with the local communities to pilot potential pro-women technologies in Baltistan.

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