#WomensDay 2017: Stand for Women’s Right for Decent Work
This year, UNHCR promotes the right to safe, dignified and empowering work for refugees, internally displaced and stateless women
08 March 2017
Today is not just another day, its Women’s day, it is a chance for the world to recognize the role that women play in society and in every walk of life. When you educate a girl, you educate a nation. Women play such an integral role in life just as important as males and they deserve to be treated equal and with dignity at all times.
It is time for a positive change where we won’t have to think about the differences anymore, such concepts as equal rights, opportunities and equal benefits should not be an issue anymore in this day and age.
This year, UNHCR promotes the right to safe, dignified and empowering work for refugees, internally displaced and stateless women.
UNHCR and its staff support this year’s theme of women’s right for decent work and the right to equal opportunities and UNHCR in Syria has launched #IStandforWomen
“I hope to learn this profession very well, so I can present my hand-made work in an exhibition. I’m looking forward to see the results of my work, I am really very excited!”. Said Nijat, 41 years old displaced Syrian woman and a mother of three. Who was left with the difficult decision between staying in Syria with her elderly parents or leaving to Germany to her husband and son. But found relief with the support of UNHCR’s livelihood programmes.
Read Nijat’s Story
UNHCR and its partners around the world are taking action to support the realization of the right to decent work for women. In Syria, refugees, internally displaced and returnee women are provided with start-up support in various work opportunity like poultry production and farming. This support helped many women like Haifaa Awn, take a positive turn in their lives.
“As we mark this year’s International Women’s Day, I encourage each of you to reflect on what has been achieved so far, and to carefully consider what more each of us can do to ensure that the promotion of gender equality is systematically integrated throughout our work” Said Filippo Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
