The United Nations has urged all actors to double up in their quest for gender equality by ensuring that the world of work works for all women as the world marks International Women’s Day today, Wednesday, 8 March.

The theme for this year’s celebration is: “Women in the Changing World of Work: Planet 50-50 by 2030”

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.

The idea of this year’s theme, according to the UN, “is to consider how to accelerate the 2030 Agenda, building momentum for the effective implementation of the new Sustainable Development Goals, especially goal number 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls; and number 4: Ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning”.

The UN hopes by the year 2030, women will be equal to men in all spheres of human endeavour. Among the targets set are:

1. By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and Goal-4 effective learning outcomes.

2. By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care and preprimary education so that they are ready for primary education.

3. End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.

4. Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.

5. Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation.