PRINCESS ZAINAB AHMAD KADIFF DIRECTOR REFLECT ON WOMEN'S DAY

 

PRINCESS ZAINAB AHMAD KADIFF DIRECTOR REFLECT ON WOMEN'S DAY AS KADUNA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

*INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY 2021* 

*Significance of International women's Day*

International women's Day, commemorated on March 8th of every year, it's earmarked to celebrate womanhood and recognise her achievements without regard to devisions- national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic, or political. It is a day to acknowledge and make people aware of women's rights and gender equality, parity, and call to action for accelerating women's equality. 

*ORIGIN*

It was actually started by the socialist party in the United states in 1909 and was observed in Newyork, but it wasn't until Clara Zetkin, a German feminist, pushed for it to be a holiday in 1910 that it really took off across Europe and since then, it became an important day for women around the world.

*PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES*

International women's Day is celebrated in 100 countries of the 195 countries in the world.

Nigeria is one of the African countries that observes International women's Day. In honour of the day, most Nigerians flood their social media pages with pictures of women they admire. Some women and organisations usually take to the streets to protest against issues that affect women. 

      It is worthy to mention that Nigeria has made some success in promoting the rights of women which include the -

1) *The passage into Law the violence against persons prohibition Act 2015*

2) *Plans for the adoption of the United Nations Resolution 1325*

*THEME*

*"Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world"* is the theme for this year's Women's Day. It highlights how women can be equal partners in decision-making processes, especially those regarding policymaking. This year, the need of the hour is to bring to light the tremendous efforts by women and girls around the world in shaping a more equal future and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

       One thing which the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us is that *when women lead, we see positive results*.

Some of the most efficient and successful responses to the COVID-19 pandemic were led by women. They are even on the forefront of humanity's battle against the pandemic. Be it as front-line and health sector workers, or scientists, doctors, and care givers. However, recent data released by the United Nations reveal an alarming disparity. These women frontline workers are getting paid 11 percent less than their male counterparts globally.

According to United Nation Development programme, in 2021, around 435million women and girls are living less than $1.90 a day. 

Nearly 47million women have been pushed to poverty because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The report also adds that women's employment is at 1 percent more risk than men.

*Haven't said all that, kindly find women worthy to occupy leadership roles at home, places of work and the political arena and it will amaze you how wonderfully well she would perform*

To celebrate women's Day, send your heart felt *women's Day wishes* and messages to women you love and admire and see how much you had make their women's Day more beautiful .

    I celebrate every woman making feminity a proud gender. 

Princess Zainab Ahmad

FESTIVAL DIRECTOR/KADIFF