Commemoration of International Women’s Day

United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Director Dr. Maria Dotsenko delivered the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’s message on the occasion of International Women’s Day during a ceremony marking the anniversary of the establishment of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Cultural Institute (ECI) and Interntional Women’s Day at ECI building on 6 March 2018, AVA Diplomatic reports.

Addressing a large audience including foreign and Iranian diplomats, movie starts and general public, Dotsenko quoting the Secretary-General said: “We at the United Nations stand with women around the world as they fight to overcome the injustices they face – whether they are rural women dealing with wage discrimination, urban women organizing for change, women refugees at risk of exploitation and abuse, or women who experience intersecting forms of discrimination: widows, indigenous women, women with disabilities and women who do not conform to gender norms”.

Secretary-General of ECO Mr. Akca watching Ms. Dotsenko as she writes her comments on a stamp unveiled on the anniversary of the establishment of the ECI and International Women’s Day

She continued: “Women’s empowerment is at the heart of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Progress on the Sustainable Development Goals means progress for all women, everywhere. The Spotlight initiative launched jointly with the European Union will focus resources on eliminating violence against women and girls, a prerequisite for equality and empowerment.”

Other speakers of the ceremony were Secretary-General of ECO Mr. Halil Ibrahim Akca and President of ECO Cultural Institute Dr. Mohammad Mahdi Mazaheri.

The ceremony continued with special events featuring cultural shows on “Nowruz (Iranian New Year), Women and Peace entitled “Sine Hashtom: Sindokht” as well as traditional Iranian music performances and Shahnameh (Book of Kings) recitation focusing on women.