President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has by proclamation declared Monday, March 8, 2010, as “International Women Day”, to be observed throughout the territorial confines of the Republic as a Working Holiday. The Day will be celebrated under the Theme: “Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities: Progress for All”.

President Sirleaf has therefore ordered the Ministry of Gender and Development, Government Agencies, Civil Organizations, Non-governmental organizations and International Non-governmental Organizations concerned, to execute appropriate programs to make the Day meaningful.

The proclamation according to a Foreign Ministry release is in consonance with a Resolution 32/142 adopted in December, 1997 by the United Nations General Assembly declaring March 8, of each year as Women’s Right and International Day for Peace.

The release further states that the observance of the day is to bring an awareness to women on all continents of the tradition that represents almost a century of women’s struggle for equality, justice, peace and development, adding that women have been marginalized for too long, and the need to be encouraged for their unflinching efforts in the development of nations and caring for their families at all times and under all circumstances.