| dc.description | The celebration of International Women's Day 2012 was held at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. The theme for International Women's Day 2012 was Empower Rural Women: End Hunger and Poverty. Rural women are active agents of economic and social change and environmental protection who are, in many ways and to various degrees, constrained in their roles as farmers, producers, investors, caregivers, and consumers. They play crucial roles in ensuring food and nutrition security, eradicating rural poverty, and improving the well-being of their families yet continue to face serious challenges because of gender-based stereotypes and discrimination that deny them equitable access to opportunities, resources, assets, and services. International Women's Day is a reminder that universal human rights cannot be achieved without equal participation and opportunities for the development of women around the world. In this video Deputy Executive Secretary, Mr. Abdlla Hamdok expressed his view on gender equality during the International Women’s Day Celebration However, Gender-based discrimination shadows all cultures, and is often manifested in the laws, policies, and practices of institutions. For example, in many countries, women are not afforded the same inheritance rights and property rights as men, nor are they allowed to testify in court, even where constitutional guarantees provide for equality and laws protect women’s rights, discriminatory practices by law enforcement and security services. Moreover, courts, lawyers, and social services can serve as major obstacles to women’s security and access to justice. Customary and traditional norms and practices, including informal justice mechanisms, may perpetuate gross violations of the rights of women and this may also underpin gender discrimination in workplaces. | en |
