The UN's International Women's Day (official name), also known as International Women's Day  ou IWD, is celebrated on 8 March. It is an international day highlighting the struggle for women's rights and in particular for the reduction of inequalities compared to men, officially recognized by the United Nations in 1977.

In Burkina Faso, it was in 1984 that Women's Rights Day became a public holiday thanks to President Thomas Sankara who established this strong tradition with the aim of changing mentalities and especially giving women a place in Burkinabe society.

What does this mean to you?

"It took a hundred years to erase the most glaring discrimination between men and women, but what are we waiting for to repeal the remaining ones?" Benoîte Groult - Excerpt from Thus Be It - 1975.

For me, every March 8 is an opportunity to ask this question again. This day is a pole that we are handed to talk about the inequalities that still exist (perhaps in another form).

It is true that a reference framework for change (in terms of women's rights), the Beijing Platform for Action (PAB) exists in our country and that the review is made regularly. The BPA projects a world where every woman and girl can exercise her freedoms and choices, know and understand all her rights, including the right to live free from violence, the right to participate in decision-making and the right to receive equal pay for equal work. The assessment of critical areas since 2014 indicates that enormous progress has been made by the country but that challenges remain in some areas for the effective achievement of social justice and for achieving equal opportunities for all in all areas of life.

GENIT CARE AFRICA our association in collaboration with the Women's Network for National Reconciliation, Cohesion and Equity (REFERENCE) has planned a reflection on "The role of women in the prevention of violent extremism among young people" theme in line with the national theme 2022 "Security and health challenges: what strategies for better protection of women"?

It is also an opportunity for us to participate in the UN's 66th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW66) whose theme is " Achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls in the context of climate change, environmental and disaster risk reduction policies and programmes ".

We will participate on behalf of an international network of women (BUSSINESS an PROFESSIONAL WOMEN) to better understand the offensive on adaptation and response to climate change and its mitigation, in favor of building a more sustainable future for all people.

A message for the other female doctors?

Let us unite for a "Generation of men and women, freed from all forms of inequality in all spheres of life and with respect for African cultural values" to quote the preparatory meeting of the General Equality Forum 20-21 May 2021 Burkina Faso.

Let's get involved in our work and find a balance to celebrate achievements (reducing morbidity-mortality from the diseases we treat every day) and take a moment to reflect on the persistent inequalities between boys/men and women/girls that affect people's health. Let us engage with the entire Burkinabe nation to improve them for a better Burkina Faso.