International Women’s Day 2022

The International Women’s Day is celebrated every year on 8 March and it reflects on progress made and recognises acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities. On this day we acknowledge women and girls that are effective powerful leaders and change makers on peace and development.

Despite the progress, real change has been agonisingly slow for the majority of women and girls in the world. Advancing gender equality in the context of the climate crisis and disaster risk reduction is one of the greatest global challenges of the 21st century. Furthermore, women are increasingly being recognised as more vulnerable to climate change impacts than men, as they constitute the majority of the world’s poor and are more dependent on the natural resources which climate change threatens the most.

Hence, this year’s International Women’s Day theme is “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow” and calls for climate action for women, by women. The latest data show the vital link between gender, social equity, and climate change, and we do recognise that without gender equality today, a sustainable future, an equal future, remains out of reach. We should acknowledge that women’s full and effective participation and leadership in of all areas of life drives progress for everyone.

We, at World Assembly of Youth (WAY), believe that empowerment of women and young girls is vital to the development of communities. We shall continue to mobilise youth and youth leaders to end gender-based violence, and call for economic justice and rights for all. Collective action and shared ownership for driving gender parity is what makes International Women's Day meaningful. Let us call upon all stakeholders to be courageous to stand for gender equality, and join hands in creating a world where all women and young girls have equal opportunities and rights.

In order to achieve sustainable development and gender equality, we should continue to empower women and girls to have a voice and be equal players in decision-making related to climate change and sustainability. Without gender equality we cannot have an equal and sustainable future. Therefore, on #IWD2022 we all should stand united and become part of the movement that advances equality for women and young girls everywhere in the world.