Many countries around the world celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8th each year . It is a day that recognizes women’s achievements without regard to any other distinctions. International Women’s Day is one of the most important global occasions that reminds us of women’s accomplishments and their vital role in various aspects of life. On this day, we celebrate women who have dedicated their lives to building and creating a better future, and who have contributed their tremendous efforts to the development of society and the advancement of various fields. International Women’s Day has become a global occasion that we celebrate annually to remind the world of the importance of supporting women and providing them with equal opportunities to be true partners in building society.
We first met with Ms. Rosette Fares, Director of Marketing and Communications at the Rixos Gulf Hotel in Doha, Qatar. The cornerstone of celebrating International Women’s Day on March 8th is affirming respect and appreciation for women. Many countries, such as Cuba, Russia, and China, have recognized this day as an official holiday for women. International Women’s Day is a message from women asserting their right to education, work, freedom from violence, and equality with men in rights, responsibilities, and citizenship. Therefore, it is an important day for the entire world, as it is a call for achieving equality and balance. Arab women are an important part of the world in general, and a significant part of Arab society in particular. Thus, regardless of changing circumstances, women’s issues remain a priority, as evidenced by the United Nations’ careful selection of topics for March 8th. In 2017, the focus was on women in the changing world of work.
Dr. Nouran Al-Kilani, General Manager of Commercial Affairs at Tabuk Investment and Tourism Company, began her speech on this occasion by saying: International Women’s Day is a global celebration in appreciation of women of all colors, races, languages, and religions, because she deserves it with merit in light of the harsh historical circumstances that diminished her rights by treating her as a secondary being and not as a complementary partner to man. Despite all this, women in every era and period stand and write their achievements for history on all levels, whether social, political, or economic, and in all aspects of life, and they amaze the world with their great achievements and leave their mark on history. Many books testify to them. I call this day “Love Day” due to the high energy of love that women carry within them. Every task they undertake is performed with passion and love, and the same is true in their homes towards their families. Therefore, different peoples have become accustomed to giving flowers to women, whether they are mothers, daughters, or wives, as a symbolic expression of support for them in achieving more rights. This also applies to Arab women, who, from the time of diving until today, have not hesitated to leave their mark in every field, and history records that for them.
Professor Khadija El Idrissi, Director of Communications and Public Relations at the Mazagan Beach Resort in Morocco, stated that it is a wonderful thing for the United Nations to dedicate an International Day to celebrate women, who have historically suffered marginalization, the denial of their rights, injustice, and oppression, not only in the Arab world, as some believe, but in every country in the world without exception. Some envy Arab women, despite their suffering on various levels, for the respect and appreciation they enjoy from society and family.
Khadija El Idrissi pointed out that Moroccan women have succeeded in many of the tasks assigned to them and have attained the positions they deserve. They have excelled in various professions, establishing companies and managing banks and institutions. We must also remember the role of the homemaker in raising children. Therefore, on this International Women’s Day, we must highlight the challenges they face and work to raise their awareness of their rights and responsibilities. We must also strive to remove the obstacles that prevent them from achieving their legitimate aspirations and obtaining their rights as citizens, through the enactment of appropriate laws or the amendment of any discriminatory legislation.
For her part, businesswoman and CEO of Vogue Ventures Global Hospitality, Ms. Fadwa Al-Misbahi, echoed the sentiments of her predecessors, stating that International Women’s Day is a cornerstone for celebrating and appreciating women’s achievements. She believes women should be granted a day off on this day, as is the case in some countries like China, to celebrate in a manner befitting their status. She explained that women’s issues have remained a primary concern for them throughout the years, as they strive to secure their constitutional, legal, and fundamental rights. The roadmap for confronting challenges and pursuing sustainable development, peace, security, and respect for human rights continues. Empowering women to obtain and exercise their rights remains a central priority for the United Nations in addressing political, economic, and social challenges worldwide. Regarding the perceived diminished voice of women after gaining political rights, she said: “Women are still active in the public sphere, fighting to exercise their political rights and assume leadership positions. They are working to change laws and enact legislation that suits their needs. The proof is the numerous women’s groups striving to gain further social and human rights.”
Moroccan businesswoman Latifa Cheikh said that women’s issues still receive global attention, as international organizations continue to defend various human rights and issues and problems that women face in working societies or globally. Women’s wages are still less than men’s in many societies, and the number of female parliamentarians is lower, as is their representation in leadership positions, despite the fact that the number of women exceeds that of men in all parts of the world. She emphasized that after gaining political rights, Moroccan women did not lose their voice, but rather turned to hard work. Many tried to run for elections but did not achieve success. Therefore, many institutions and civil society organizations are now working to train and empower the women’s sector to provide them with the administrative, cognitive and legal skills that enable them to occupy political positions with merit.
Professor Anan Al-Qadi, Marketing and Public Relations Manager for Rixos Montazah Hotels Group – Alexandria, believes that celebrating International Women’s Day on March 8th of each year is an appreciation and respect for women for the positive and vital role they play in building, empowering, and advancing societies. She says: Globally, it began in 1945 with the establishment of the International Women’s Union, which called for the liberation of women from slavery and exploitation and giving them all their human rights in education, work, and others. In Egypt, we celebrate on this day the many achievements that Egyptian women have attained and the diverse fields in which they have excelled and innovated, in addition to their primary role in managing their families and raising generations.
Professor Salma Khafif Al-Idrisi, Commercial and Marketing Director of Kenzi Hotels Group, points out that Arab women have achieved many successes at all levels and in all situations, and with their high sense of patriotism, they have dedicated themselves to their country and worked hard to elevate it. However, some of their issues are still locked away, and most of them are based on achieving social equality in society, through providing housing care for unmarried or divorced women. The core of women’s issues in the Arab world is the demand for equality in rights guaranteed by the constitution to the citizen without discrimination based on gender.
Iryna okopova Marketing Director at Rixos Marjana Hotel in King Abdullah Economic City, stated that this day highlights the importance of empowering women and enhancing their role in all aspects of life, encouraging society to support their ongoing contributions and innovations. It also serves as a reminder to the world that investing in women’s capabilities and providing them with equal opportunities is fundamental to building stronger, more just, and sustainable societies. Furthermore, it underscores the importance of investing in women’s abilities and encouraging them to lead and innovate in all areas of life, so that their voices become influential and a driving force for positive change in society.
Tour guide Salwa Mahmoud, Marketing Director at the Rixos Marjana Hotel, says: “International Women’s Day is personally significant to me, as it is to all Egyptian women. It’s a day designated by the United Nations, distinct from the day dedicated to combating discrimination against women. This day is meant to be a celebration of women, and therefore it’s important that all countries celebrate International Women’s Day, which is observed annually on March 8th. The celebration aims to increase public respect, appreciation, and love for women, and to highlight their diverse economic, political, and social achievements. In some countries, women receive a day off on this day. The United Nations designated this day in 1977.”
For her part, lawyer Areej Hamada pointed out that American women were the ones who sparked the initial call for the recognition of women’s rights, and this movement then spread to Europe and from there to the entire world, with the United Nations designating March 8th of each year as International Women’s Day. Regarding women in Kuwait, she noted that they have achieved many accomplishments and attained the status they deserve within the family and society. Before the discovery of oil, women were relied upon while men traveled across the seas for trade, and they were the ones who maintained the home and raised the children. After the discovery of oil, women assumed numerous positions and proved their competence, but opportunities for them in some jobs remain virtually nonexistent.
