8 March
International Women's Day is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities.
In the last 10 years, the lives of women and girls around the world have, on average, improved due in part to concerted action by the international community and national governments and in part through the actions of women and girls themselves. Today, there is greater awareness that gender equality is important for economic development and poverty reduction, and there is a greater commitment to promoting gender equality almost everywhere. But declaring victory would be premature.
Gender inequalities still prevail in many countries especially in the developing ones , as evidence by such indicators as gender pay disparity, high and unchanged maternal mortality, disparities in access to secondary education and basic health services, and women's underrepresentation at all government levels. At the same time, the challenges to achieving gender equality have evolved as a result of such forces as increased globalization.
The Arab region was not in isolation from the global debate on women and girls , hence AAPSO pays special attention to women's barriers in the Arab region as they are still facing immense challenges ,include cultural factors , gender pay disparity , education especially in the rural areas, and although many measures have been taken by the majority of Arab countries to enhance women's representation in decision-making positions, women's participation in public life and positions of power have not been achieved the desired level and the Arab region ranks the lowest in the world in terms of women's participation in parliaments.
It is time to examine the Political participation of women in the Arab countries and identify different challenges that impede Arab women participation in politics and decision making.
Also we must mention to the 2016 theme for International Women's Day adopted by UN women is "Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality" and seeking to accelerate the 2030 Agenda that ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant Goal, effective learning outcomes, End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere, Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual harassment and other types of exploitation.
AAPSO takes the advantage of this occasion to call urgently the international community and women's organizations to coordinate effectiveness/efficiency of women empowerment programs, to discuss shortcomings in the institutional and legal frameworks, practices of political parties and election process, the process of development of Women empowerment strategies.
Also AAPSO calls to exert all efforts with great belief to empower women to take the responsibility in building their nations, to help them to make extraordinary contributions to their societies.