In 1975, during International Women's Year, the United Nations began celebrating 8 March as International Women's Day. Two years later, in December 1977, the General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming a United Nations Day for Women's Rights and International Peace to be observed on any day of the year by Member States, in accordance with their historical and national traditions. Since then, the United Nations Organization has observed March 8th as International Women's Day. The purpose of this day is to recognize the fact that securing peace and social progress and the full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms intense focus on financing for gender equality at the country level.
This day is an ideal opportunity to reflect on the progress made to advance women's equality but also there is a great need to monitor the violation of women's rights in all form. The challenges faced by all women in general and Muslim women in particular itself indicates to diminish the differences and to strengthen their spirit to fight injustice needs to be strengthen Muslim women in the world are pioneering a spiritual renewal and a rediscovery of their faith that empowers them. The principle of equality between men and women is deeply rooted in Islam.
The Prophet Muhammad was known for his equal treatment of the sexes. The edicts of the Holy Quran and the authenticated sayings of the Prophet can by no means hold women up and prevent them from discharging their societal duties. The obstacles are manmade and are the result of historical accumulations that date back to the ages of backwardness.
The Islamic teachings have guaranteed women the same rights as men in the frame of an integrated system of rules, principles and values. Quranic rights provide inspirations and with this Muslim woman needs to achieve her full potential - the challenge ahead is to educate Muslim girls and women so that they have that knowledge. It is for us to warn against confusing the ordinances of Islam with the conventional customs observed by people, and we equally urged vigilance against such misleading ideas.
We are celebrating women's day since last three decades, but till date we have not seen the decline in the number of atrocities against women. We are living in the 21st century where women have shared equal platform with their male counterparts in every field. But today also women have to fight for their basic human rights like right to life. We have not been able to eradicate practices like female foeticide, karokari i.e. honor killing, etc. from the society; let alone the fight for the rights of women in the social domestic domain.
Are women restricted to feel empowered and honored only on International women's day? Or this day should be a dawn for the struggle of women empowerment and women's rights. There is a real, very significant, and mainstream women's rights movement gaining power and credibility in the Muslim world as well.
This gives a ray of hope that atrocities, violation of rights and injustices will not be accepted and tolerated. Let's salute all the women who inspired us whether known and also those who are
unsung.