Why dedicate a day exclusively to the celebration of the world's women? In adopting its resolution on the observance of Women's Day, the General Assembly cited two reasons: to recognize the fact that securing peace and social progress and the full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms require the active participation, equality and development of women; and to acknowledge the contribution of women to the strengthening of international peace and security. For the women of the world, the Day's symbolism has a wider meaning: It is an occasion to review how far they have come in their struggle for equality, peace and development. It is also an opportunity to unite, network and mobilize for meaningful change.
International Women's Day
International Women's Day is celebrated in many countries around the world. It is a day when women are recognized for their achievements without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political. It is an occasion for looking back on past struggles and accomplishments, and more importantly, for looking ahead to the untapped potential and opportunities that await future generations of women.
In 1975, during International Women's Year, the United Nations began celebrating International Women's Day on 8 March. Two years later, in December 1977, the General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming a United Nations Day for Women's Rights and International Peace to be observed on any day of the year by Member States, in accordance with their historical and national traditions. In adopting its resolution, the General Assembly recognized the role of women in peace efforts and development and urged an end to discrimination and an increase of support for women's full and equal participation.
History
International Women's Day first emerged from the activities of labour movements at the turn of the twentieth century in North America and across Europe.
1909: The first National Woman's Day was observed in the United States on 28 February. The Socialist Party of America designated this day in honour of the 1908 garment workers' strike in New York, where women protested against working conditions.
1910: The Socialist International, meeting in Copenhagen, established a Women's Day, international in character, to honour the movement for women's rights and to build support for achieving universal suffrage for women. The proposal was greeted with unanimous approval by the conference of over 100 women from 17 countries, which included the first three women elected to the Finnish Parliament. No fixed date was selected for the observance.
1911: As a result of the Copenhagen initiative, International Women's Day was marked for the first time (19 March) in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland, where more than one million women and men attended rallies. In addition to the right to vote and to hold public office, they demanded women's rights to work, to vocational training and to an end to discrimination on the job.
1913-1914: International Women's Day also became a mechanism for protesting World War I. As part of the peace movement, Russian women observed their first International Women's Day on the last Sunday in February. Elsewhere in Europe, on or around 8 March of the following year, women held rallies either to protest the war or to express solidarity with other activists.
1917: Against the backdrop of the war, women in Russia again chose to protest and strike for "Bread and Peace" on the last Sunday in February (which fell on 8 March on the Gregorian calendar). Four days later, the Czar abdicated and the provisional Government granted women the right to vote.
Since those early years, International Women's Day has assumed a new global dimension for women in developed and developing countries alike. The growing international women's movement, which has been strengthened by four global United Nations women's conferences, has helped make the commemoration a rallying point to build support for women's rights and participation in the political and economic arenas. Increasingly, International Women's Day is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities.
In 1975, during International Women's Year, the United Nations began celebrating 8 March as International Women's Day. Two years later, in December 1977, the General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming a United Nations Day for Women's Rights and International Peace to be observed on any day of the year by Member States, in accordance with their historical and national traditions. For the United Nations, International Women's Day has been observed on 8 March since 1975. The Day is traditionally marked with a message from the Secretary-General.
Theme for International Women's Day 2011:
Equal access to education, training and science and technology: Pathway to decent work for women
UN observances of International Women's Day 2011 worldwide:
* Celebrating the 100 anniversary of International Women's Day with the UN in Geneva (Download PDF flyer)
* International Labour Organization (ILO):
ILO celebrates International Women's Day
* UN Women and ILO:
Award Ceremony on prevention of sexual harassment in the workplace (Download PDF flyer)
* International Telecommunication Union (ITU):
High-level debate: Goodbye to the IT girl: Why are young women deserting technology?
* United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD):
Panel discussion on enhancing women´s access to education, science and technology for economic growth and development
* United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP):
Commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of International Women's Day (Download PDF flyer)
* United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO):
UNESCO celebrates International Women's Day 2011
UNESCO launches Women Make the News 2011
* World Health Organization (WHO):
100th anniversary of International Women's Day
* United Nations lnformation Service (UNIS) Vienna:
Panel discussion on "100 Years International Women’s Day: Time to celebrate?
Achievements and Prospects" (Download PDF flyer)
* United Nations Regional lnformation Centre for Western Europe (UNRIC):
International Women's Day Event in Brussels
(source:United Nation, http://www.un.org/womenwatch/feature/iwd/)
Showing posts with label Events. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Events. Show all posts
Friday, March 4, 2011
Monday, May 18, 2009
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
I remember May 13th 1969
I still remember the May 13th incident, the racial riot in 1969. It has been 40 years now. It was the year my brother was born, and he was still a baby that need milk feeding. The curfew imposed caused much difficulty for the baby boy. I personally saw with my own eyes the soldiers matched in the street; the shooting of the army aiming at the rioters, and the stone throwing of the rioters. I saw the attacking by the angry mock on the innocent people. I also saw a touching scene of how the Chinese neighborhood saved a lone Malay cyclist from injury.This was May 13th 1969.
I was only 15 years old secondary school student, just begin to understand politic; listening the whole night for the election results from radio(TV is not common). The Dr Lim Chong Ewe's party won the election handsomely. It was a good news for us, as he is a good doctor from our neighborhood. His father and him had been a doctor serving our neighbourhood at Sia-bui Su Beng Clinic at the same street with our house. We were happy for him. As a young man, and just got a touch of election process, democracy is a sweet and exiting term for me. Looking for a bright future and hope for the nation. It was a peaceful election, with some emotional campaign by both side of the parties. At those days, the politician were good orators, better than today, they were professionals, many were lawyers and doctors. This was in Penang, 1969. Every common folk were happy.
Initially there were victory parade for the political supporters ; or was it a demonstration, I cannot remember.
In the following day, some cyclists passing through the street was attacked by the rioters, it must be after hearing the news from Kuala Lumpur on the start of racial riots.
There was one incident , a Malay cyclist was cycling in the street , seems to be not aware of what had happen earlier. The Chinese neighborhood were shouting to him,not to continue and go back. He quickly turned back, and I prayed that he is saved. The incident reminded me the closeness of the neighborhood in the community.
Something happen in KL, and there were curfew; time were allowed for us to buy our daily needs. People normally go to sia-bui wholesale market to buy vegetables or dried foods. We are worried about the condensed milk and milk powder. There was no income from father; we are really desperate for food. My neighborhood is highly urban area, if you have no money there will be no food for the family(unlike the villagers). I did not know how dad handled the food problem.
The windows of our double storey pre-war shophouse need to be closed; otherwise the soldiers will pointed their gun toward the window and shout in warning tone to close the window. May be they are worried that the resident will throw stones on them. They said the early patrol was Malay Regiment; but later Federal Regiment from Sarawak with more mixed races was patrolling. That was what the adult said. My uncle was from the Federal Regiment, he was on duty in Kuala Lumpur at that time.
After the curfew was over, we returned to school. My school was a racially mixed English school, we never talk about it, we just talk about our life when not in school. We missed the school. We missed our friends. I am a scout, where the movement taught us not to be racist, we have friends of different races, we go hiking and camping together; we eat together. We do not understand what the ugly politician were playing , a game that will affect our future.
Emergency was declared, and government formed. MCA(Malaysian Chinese Association refused to be in the government). That was the great mistake, and the government was able to pass policies which was racial based. After that some opposition parties joined the ruling party to form coalition political front.
Peace then returned....New Economic Policy followed....and the rest was history. The country is never the same as when Tunku Abdul Rahman gained Independence.
Some said it was a political revolt against Tunku by the youth from the same political party; it was started by them. Some said otherwise....anyhow it was forgotten, whoever start the riots,it must be for political reason. The ordinary people just want peace and to carry on their daily life. Nobody know until now, but God know... and there were some evidences and voices slowly revealed the hidden motive behind it. My uncle also revealed that some ugly incidents did happen in Kuala Lumpur. But my father in law told me it was peaceful in PAS controlled Kelantan.The incident was a taboo to most Malaysian, many don't want to talk about the ugly incident. There was pain in our heart..... we lost our democracy to the ugly politician.
Democracy is demon go crazy when emotion turned wild. I learn the lesson, when politician played their emotional games, innocent people suffered. We cannot followed the momentum of the politician, when they are fanning the fire, we should use our wisdom and poured cold water to cool the fire. Common sense must prevail and not fall into the traps of the politician. Otherwise we will suffer as victim of their hidden agenda.
Time passed it is now 40 years after the incident; the young have forgotten the sad history of the country. Some politician even threaten to use the incident to provoke support for their popularity in the party election or as champion in the state assembly or Parliament. This provide evidence that there is still followers on racial issues. This is extremely dangerous.
This is May 13th 1969; a painful lesson for Malaysia,and their people. We prayed that it will be history of the past and it will not happen again. The young Malaysian must learn from the history and value the racial harmony more than politic. We should not allow the politician who stand on that platform ,throw them out.....
For young Malaysian who wanted to know the balanced view of the history,please visit the following web sites:
1. www.wikipedia.org. on the article" May 13th Incident"
2. http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story on the article dated 11-5-2008, with the title "May 13, 1969: Truth and reconciliation" by MARTIN VENGADESAN
I was only 15 years old secondary school student, just begin to understand politic; listening the whole night for the election results from radio(TV is not common). The Dr Lim Chong Ewe's party won the election handsomely. It was a good news for us, as he is a good doctor from our neighborhood. His father and him had been a doctor serving our neighbourhood at Sia-bui Su Beng Clinic at the same street with our house. We were happy for him. As a young man, and just got a touch of election process, democracy is a sweet and exiting term for me. Looking for a bright future and hope for the nation. It was a peaceful election, with some emotional campaign by both side of the parties. At those days, the politician were good orators, better than today, they were professionals, many were lawyers and doctors. This was in Penang, 1969. Every common folk were happy.
Initially there were victory parade for the political supporters ; or was it a demonstration, I cannot remember.
In the following day, some cyclists passing through the street was attacked by the rioters, it must be after hearing the news from Kuala Lumpur on the start of racial riots.
There was one incident , a Malay cyclist was cycling in the street , seems to be not aware of what had happen earlier. The Chinese neighborhood were shouting to him,not to continue and go back. He quickly turned back, and I prayed that he is saved. The incident reminded me the closeness of the neighborhood in the community.
Something happen in KL, and there were curfew; time were allowed for us to buy our daily needs. People normally go to sia-bui wholesale market to buy vegetables or dried foods. We are worried about the condensed milk and milk powder. There was no income from father; we are really desperate for food. My neighborhood is highly urban area, if you have no money there will be no food for the family(unlike the villagers). I did not know how dad handled the food problem.
The windows of our double storey pre-war shophouse need to be closed; otherwise the soldiers will pointed their gun toward the window and shout in warning tone to close the window. May be they are worried that the resident will throw stones on them. They said the early patrol was Malay Regiment; but later Federal Regiment from Sarawak with more mixed races was patrolling. That was what the adult said. My uncle was from the Federal Regiment, he was on duty in Kuala Lumpur at that time.
After the curfew was over, we returned to school. My school was a racially mixed English school, we never talk about it, we just talk about our life when not in school. We missed the school. We missed our friends. I am a scout, where the movement taught us not to be racist, we have friends of different races, we go hiking and camping together; we eat together. We do not understand what the ugly politician were playing , a game that will affect our future.
Emergency was declared, and government formed. MCA(Malaysian Chinese Association refused to be in the government). That was the great mistake, and the government was able to pass policies which was racial based. After that some opposition parties joined the ruling party to form coalition political front.
Peace then returned....New Economic Policy followed....and the rest was history. The country is never the same as when Tunku Abdul Rahman gained Independence.
Some said it was a political revolt against Tunku by the youth from the same political party; it was started by them. Some said otherwise....anyhow it was forgotten, whoever start the riots,it must be for political reason. The ordinary people just want peace and to carry on their daily life. Nobody know until now, but God know... and there were some evidences and voices slowly revealed the hidden motive behind it. My uncle also revealed that some ugly incidents did happen in Kuala Lumpur. But my father in law told me it was peaceful in PAS controlled Kelantan.The incident was a taboo to most Malaysian, many don't want to talk about the ugly incident. There was pain in our heart..... we lost our democracy to the ugly politician.
Democracy is demon go crazy when emotion turned wild. I learn the lesson, when politician played their emotional games, innocent people suffered. We cannot followed the momentum of the politician, when they are fanning the fire, we should use our wisdom and poured cold water to cool the fire. Common sense must prevail and not fall into the traps of the politician. Otherwise we will suffer as victim of their hidden agenda.
Time passed it is now 40 years after the incident; the young have forgotten the sad history of the country. Some politician even threaten to use the incident to provoke support for their popularity in the party election or as champion in the state assembly or Parliament. This provide evidence that there is still followers on racial issues. This is extremely dangerous.
This is May 13th 1969; a painful lesson for Malaysia,and their people. We prayed that it will be history of the past and it will not happen again. The young Malaysian must learn from the history and value the racial harmony more than politic. We should not allow the politician who stand on that platform ,throw them out.....
For young Malaysian who wanted to know the balanced view of the history,please visit the following web sites:
1. www.wikipedia.org. on the article" May 13th Incident"
2. http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story on the article dated 11-5-2008, with the title "May 13, 1969: Truth and reconciliation" by MARTIN VENGADESAN
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Earth Hour together with friends
Earth hour was observed with a group of friends on the night of 28-3-2009, and celebration of my retirement.
We have great time of sharing among the family members; children having great time to mingle around. We started with steam boat first, then some sharing on Book of Mathew by Kwang Yang.
Talking about sleeping in the boat, I still remember when I went for fishing for squids in Marang,Trengannu. The squid fishing will start at the middle of night with light on to attract them. While I am sleeping at the boat in the middle of the sea: the peace, the calmness at night(despite it was raining), you need to be sure and the element of trust that it is OK.The boat is moving with the sea waves,it is not easy to have peaceful sleep. But I slept. There was a guy, who is bigger size, vomit and uneasy during the fishing trip. In the sea, the challenge is different.
Then come 8.30p.m.; the time to observe the Earth hour, the 60 minutes of darkness. It is total darkness, what did you feel? Without light what did you feel? Are you lost?.... if the world is without light, what our life will look like?. Thanks God for the light. I remember the time in the village, when the time to sleep, there was no electricity(& light pollution), we sleep earlier. The city folk,they can sleep late, playing computer games, have late mamak stall session; late night entertainment.....the modern life. Just ponder, did we gain from the better life in this modern era or when the time there was no electricity, no TV, no computer...was the time better, at least we can sleep early and have more rest, more healthy. Just ponder...Oh, why think so much for just one hour of darkness.....
When the time was over at 9.30 p.m.; we see the light. Oh, now we should know how precious is the light. That provide us the ability to overcome darkness. Remember, God said Let there be light, and there was light(Genesis 1:3). To know the precious of light, we must know how to love our earth...love each others, love lives. To love ourselves, we must love our body, have enough rest.
Some have another round of steamboat,followed with some song and games. Boon Han played the guitar, Bow Chen played piano. Wah!, Kim Tatt can sing beautiful Japanese song, not bad. He may have sung out of his heart, to pour out all his memory of time when he was in Japan during his college days. The game catch many people in surprise, we realized that we are so weak in memory of names....
We have sharing of family, work, experience, retirement, husband-wife relationship, followed by prayer for those in need.
Then a session of red wine, Teik Leong's face is so red, remember a Chinese song about " Let me see your face, your face look like a red apple". His face is really red! After the drink, hope they are not drunk. We followed with more sharing , more personal, more disclosure......because we have red wine.
Finally,the time is over, it is home sweet home. We need to go home, and start producing the hormones Melatonin..... all in the sleep.
A night well spent as Earth Hour, and a close fellowship.
We have great time of sharing among the family members; children having great time to mingle around. We started with steam boat first, then some sharing on Book of Mathew by Kwang Yang.
Talking about sleeping in the boat, I still remember when I went for fishing for squids in Marang,Trengannu. The squid fishing will start at the middle of night with light on to attract them. While I am sleeping at the boat in the middle of the sea: the peace, the calmness at night(despite it was raining), you need to be sure and the element of trust that it is OK.The boat is moving with the sea waves,it is not easy to have peaceful sleep. But I slept. There was a guy, who is bigger size, vomit and uneasy during the fishing trip. In the sea, the challenge is different.
Then come 8.30p.m.; the time to observe the Earth hour, the 60 minutes of darkness. It is total darkness, what did you feel? Without light what did you feel? Are you lost?.... if the world is without light, what our life will look like?. Thanks God for the light. I remember the time in the village, when the time to sleep, there was no electricity(& light pollution), we sleep earlier. The city folk,they can sleep late, playing computer games, have late mamak stall session; late night entertainment.....the modern life. Just ponder, did we gain from the better life in this modern era or when the time there was no electricity, no TV, no computer...was the time better, at least we can sleep early and have more rest, more healthy. Just ponder...Oh, why think so much for just one hour of darkness.....
When the time was over at 9.30 p.m.; we see the light. Oh, now we should know how precious is the light. That provide us the ability to overcome darkness. Remember, God said Let there be light, and there was light(Genesis 1:3). To know the precious of light, we must know how to love our earth...love each others, love lives. To love ourselves, we must love our body, have enough rest.
Some have another round of steamboat,followed with some song and games. Boon Han played the guitar, Bow Chen played piano. Wah!, Kim Tatt can sing beautiful Japanese song, not bad. He may have sung out of his heart, to pour out all his memory of time when he was in Japan during his college days. The game catch many people in surprise, we realized that we are so weak in memory of names....
We have sharing of family, work, experience, retirement, husband-wife relationship, followed by prayer for those in need.
Then a session of red wine, Teik Leong's face is so red, remember a Chinese song about " Let me see your face, your face look like a red apple". His face is really red! After the drink, hope they are not drunk. We followed with more sharing , more personal, more disclosure......because we have red wine.
Finally,the time is over, it is home sweet home. We need to go home, and start producing the hormones Melatonin..... all in the sleep.
A night well spent as Earth Hour, and a close fellowship.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Earth Hours
What is Earth Hour? It is an international event organized by WWF(World Wildlife Fund), and it will be held on the last Saturday of March each year. For 2009, it will be on 28-3-2009 at 6.30p.m. at local time.. On the day, WWF requested all household and business to switch off all non-essential light and electrical appliances for One Hour. This is to raise the awareness of the need to take action against the Climate Change. The purpose of the event was not to save money or power, it is a symbolic event to create awareness.
Earth Hour was conceived by WWF,
For 2009, 82 countries and more than 2100 cities has committed, including the
Visit the official website, www.earthhour.org, for more information
Earth hour is only an awareness event; action to save the earth need to start individually and not only for hour. Support the earth is like support our life, every hour counts. It is not only electricity or light, it include water, plastic usage, no car(support no car day), ….. to save the earth.
Hi all, let’s countdown to the Earth-Hour.
Why lights off, it is not only to save the Earth for global warming, but it is also very meaningful for people to realize the vanishing night and also the consequences of the light pollution, which has killed many birdlife and wildlife in the city, read the article of “vanishing night” from the National Geographic Nov 2008 Magazine, and you will understand how many birds have we (human) killed in a day or a month.
For people who still on the light while sleeping, as a report dated 5-12-2007 by IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer, an organization under UN World Health Organization(WHO), exposure to light at night disrupts the circadian rhythm of the body , which alter sleep activity patterns, suppress the production of Melatonin, which probably disrupts the timing of when genes switch on and off, one of the things that can trigger tumors.So the depressing Melatonin at night raise the risk of developing tumors. Melatonin is the hormone that is important for regulating our body clock, and is also a powerful antioxidant , and some study on animal show that it stop damage to DNA.(Ref: www.iarc.fr)
What is Melatonin? It is homones produced by human body, pineal grand in the brain while sleep, the production however is inhibited by light and permitted by darkness. It is called the " Homones of Darkness".It is not only an antioxidant which help to fight cancer, but also may be positive to immune system. For a general knowledge of Melatonin,please visit www.wikipedia.com.
Save the earth, save ourselves.
It begin tonight at 28-3-2009 @ 8.30p.m........Support the Earth Hour.
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