International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day

Paying Tribute to All Women with Love, Conscience, and a Culture of Peace
To celebrate the tremendous contributions and achievements by women and girls around the
world in shaping a more equal future and a faster recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, the
Federation of World Peace and Love (FOWPAL) hosted a virtual event in celebration of the
International Women’s Day on March 8, 2021. The event received over 12,000 views.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres sent in a special message to honor this important day,
emphasizing, “Pandemic recovery is our chance to leave behind generations of exclusion and
inequalities. Whether running a country, a business or a popular movement, women are making
contributions that are delivering for all and driving progress towards the Sustainable
Development Goals. It is time to build an equal future. This is a job for everyone — and for the
benefit of everyone.”
Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, president of FOWPAL, expressed his gratitude to women all over the world
for their selfless love, saying that no matter what field and position they are in, they are an
important force to foster social progress and stability. He also stressed the importance of
conscience in enhancing the well-being of women and other members of the human family.
“Conscience gives us the courage to pursue, speak out, and take action for fairness and equality.
We have to let our conscience lead us to respect everyone, regardless of gender. Through
conscience, love can be guided and realized. Only with love, will human rights and equality
become possible, and peace can be achieved through human rights. Let us use the power of
conscience to promote change and take action for world peace and harmony.”
Former President of Trinidad and Tobago Anthony Thomas Aquinas Carmona pointed out that
“The celebration of International Women’s Day is not about emasculating men or diminishing
their relevance. It is about progressive social vision, treating women and young girls equally,
fairly and justly. It is a rally call to all decent men and women to stand up and be counted in this
honorable fight for women empowerment, gender equality, parity, and social justice.”
“There must be strategic succession planning. Women and young girls must be cultured and
nurtured in a holistic environment that encourages their genuine development and success so that
generations of competent and skilled women will emerge, ready and able to face the challenges
and responsibilities of leadership positions,” said former First Lady of Trinidad and Tobago
Reema Harrysingh-Carmona, adding that “Education and women empowerment are about the
inherent right of women and young girls to shape, control and be in charge of their own lives and
their own destinies.”
Dr. Mary Shuttleworth, president of Youth for Human Rights International in the U.S.,
mentioned the huge strides women made in fields of science, medicine, politics, etc. in the past
two centuries, emphasizing that “Challenging ourselves to push the limits for ever-increasing
improvement of conditions is always the way forward. But I caution. Long-term plans,
expansions, and dreams should always be built on the solid foundations of universal human
rights and responsibilities.”

Five distinguished women and a gentleman joined a panel discussion on gender equality.
Alternate Ambassador Roxanna De los Santos de Piantini of the Dominican Republic to the UN
(Vienna) shared her remarkable journey of breaking down gender barriers. With determination,
hard work, and perseverance, she began to study law at 35 and later became an outstanding
lawyer and an Ambassador. “Three words are the key to promote gender equality mindset and
practice: righteousness, perseverance, and solidarity,” she said, adding, “Only expressing
solidarity by upholding and helping other women stand up, we will be aware of our own strength
and ability to transform this world.”
Dr. Kuiljeit Uppaal, the world's first image scientist and impact strategist and a recipient of the prestigious Karmaveer Chakra Award, instituted by the UN, shared her amazing life journey. She was afflicted with polio when she was six months old. With sheer determination and
perseverance, she became a classical dancer, gymnast, national-level athlete, pilot, and the
recipient of various renowned awards. “You have all the power from within you. That inner
warrior has indomitable power. All you have to do is touch base with it and move forward,” she
said, offering words of encouragement to everyone: “Be your own benchmark and be better than
the last time that you performed. In other words, just keep bettering yourself.”
Rupa Dash, co-founder and CEO of the World Woman Foundation, said, “Investing in women-
owned businesses and creating more female founders and entrepreneurs is the way to rethink the
global reset.” She also stated, “If we want an equal future for ourselves and for our next
generation, women definitely have to step into their own boldness and brilliance and embrace it
and talk about the ideas that they have.”
Dr. Susan Zipp, advisor at Communications Coordination Committee for the UN, shared that at
the age of seven, she met with the then UN Secretary-general Dag Hammarskjöld, who
encouraged her to dream big and inspired her to become actively involved in the UN affairs. She
mentioned the importance of listening to one’s conscience, saying that there are “a little demon”
on one of her shoulders and "a little angel” on the other. “They battle in my head. I have to take everything, all the noise that’s in my head and swallow my pride and bring it into my heart
because when I come from my heart, I come with wisdom.”
Amina L. Weewo, the representative of the Flame of Peace in Bahrain, originally came from
Finland. As a teenager, she began making pen pals with people from around the world. She has
traveled to many countries, visited Bahrain by chance, and chosen to live there. Her cross-
cultural experience has enabled her to better connect with other women. She urged women to
embrace, help, and respect each other. “I hope we come out of this COVID era wiser and more
connected,” she added.
Hugues Sanon, UN representative of COJEP International, commended the outstanding woman
panelists for sharing their powerful personal stories to inspire others. He mentioned that
countless women today still experience violence, discrimination, and inequality against them. He
urged everyone to respect women and fight for their right to education, freedom of speech, and
political right. “Today, I call on all our leaders to ensure freedom and equality for women so that
they can flourish.”

Additionally, many other advocates for women’s rights also shared their messages in support of
the day, including Dr. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, first female president of Mauritius; Herta
Margarete Habsburg-Lothringen, president of the Flame of Peace; Naaz Farhana, founder
president of Dhaka Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Bangladesh; Reverend Sister
Jacqueline Bernadette from Cameroon; Loyda Abreu, executive director of International Artistic
Collective Dominican Brush Strokes; etc. A music video titled “Women Shine” by Ivan Ricardi
in Mexico was presented, and FOWPAL shared an upbeat song “Conscience Pulls Us Through,”
encouraging everyone to work together to overcome the pandemic.
Last summer the Executive Board of UNESCO requested that the International Day of
Conscience be observed annually on April 5 at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris and in UNESCO
field offices, with the participation of Member States and other partners. As April 5, 2021 will
mark the second International Day of Conscience, FOWPAL cordially invites everyone to join
the United Nations and UNESCO to celebrate this important day. It hopes that more people will
follow the guidance of their conscience and make the world a better place!
Source: FOWPAL