More than 150 officials from government institutions, representatives from the country's diplomatic corps, non-governmental organisations, academia and United Nations organisations marked International Women's Day on Saturday, 8 March (2014) in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar's capital with hopes that this year's nation-wide census will help improve women's rights in Myanmar.
Daw Khin Khin Win, the First Lady of the Republic of Myanmar and Honorable Patron of Myanmar's Women's Affairs Federation, called on the women of Myanmar to actively participate in the country's first census in over three decades. She said that "the availability of data and statistics is essential to promote the development of women in all sectors." She also called for new national legislation to fully protect the rights of women in accordance with the United Nations Convention of the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. "Myanmar does actively promote women's rights as part of the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals," she said.
The event, which was organized under the banner of "equality for women in progress for all," was backed by the Myanmar Women Affairs Federation (MWAF) along with the UNFPA, UN Women and UNDP which are all members of the United Nations Gender Theme Group.
In a statement issued by UNFPA Executive Director, Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin to mark International Women's Day he said: "as we commemorate International Women's Day and celebrate the many achievements of women and girls, we should also remember that for far too many, the ability to live a healthy, productive life free from violence, to fully enjoy their rights, remains an aspiration. So today is also a time to recommit ourselves to delivering once and for all on the promise of gender equality, women's empowerment and sexual and reproductive health and rights for all women and girls everywhere."
