INTERNATIONAL Women’s Day takes place every year and is a global day that emerged from women activist movements at the turn of the twentieth century. The day celebrates the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future.

The Regional Pacific Office for the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is calling on the governments and people of the Pacific to end discrimination against women in the home and workplace and ensure equal opportunities for all women.

Matilda Bogner, Regional Representative OHCHR said:

“Discrimination lies at the root of many of the world's most pressing human rights issues and is often a major obstacle for socio-economic and development efforts and Equality between women and men continues to be a challenge world-wide.

In the Pacific region gender based discrimination has been an issue that has received much attention. We continue to work and promote gender equality in the region and work with states to both ratify and implement the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)”

Ratification of the CEDAW in the Pacific is high with 13 the 16 Pacific Forum states ratifying the Convention, however reporting rates remain low. Tonga, Palau and Nauru have not yet ratified CEDAW. OHCHR, 08/03/10.