RIYADH: The Ladies Chapter of Pakistan Writers Club–Riyadh (PWC-LC) observed the International Women’s Day with great zeal here on Tuesday.

Highlighting the significance of the day, the speakers focused on women’s achievements in political, social and other fields, and called for gender equality.

Mentioning that this year’s theme was “Pledge for Parity,” Farah Ehsan, president of the group, said: “We are proud to have a long list of outstanding women in our history that includes Fatima Jinnah, Benazir Bhutto, Malala Yousufzai, Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy and Nargis Mavalvala.”

She said that in 1910, when a woman called Clara Zetkin, leader of the women’s office for the Social Democratic Party in Germany, tabled the idea of an International Women’s Day, she suggested that every country should dedicate a day each year to celebrate women. “During a conference later, more than 100 women from 17 countries accepted her proposal on International Women’s Day,” she said.

Ehsan said the day was first celebrated for the first time in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland on March 19, 1911. It was decided in 1913 to mark the day on March 8. “The day was recognized by the United Nations in 1975, but ever since it has created a theme each year for the celebration.

In her speech, Almas Mumtaz mentioned that Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, first wife of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, was an ideal woman who showed the way not only to manage her personal life ably, but also proved that she was a successful businesswoman.

“Women are not inferior to men and hence I support this year’s theme on parity and gender equality,” Almas added.