Women’s Rights no different to Human Rights- President
[March 8, 2006 - 10.30 GMT ]

Although our society has treated women’s rights as a separate issue, they are the same as basic human rights said President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his message for International Women’s Day (IWD) today.

Celebrated annually since 1908 on the 8^th of March, IWD highlights women’s equality worldwide and inspires women to achieve their full potential. In 1975 marked as the International Women’s Year, the United Nations gave IWD official sanction and began sponsoring it.

Elaborating on this year’s theme of “Let’s ensure protection of women”, the President said “...We have to realise that women’s rights are the same as basic human rights, although our society has treated women’s rights as a separate issue. The reason for this special concern has been the fact that women have been the main victims of poverty affecting under-developed countries. In any poor society, it is the woman who has to suffer more than a man.

“I believe that the foundation of justice and fairness is the acceptance of human rights. As human beings women too have the right to enjoy human rights that all others exercise. No power should be allowed to violate a woman’s rights to live with dignity and respect in human society. If socio-economic and political inequalities cause women to suffer, then it is our duty to eradicate such obstacles.

“It is the very objective that we hope to achieve by building a new Sri Lanka through “Mahinda Chintana”.”

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Last Updated Date: March 8, 2006 -10.30 GMT