March 8, 2017 marks the 106^th year that International Women’s Day (IWD) is recognised. IWD is a worldwide event that celebrates the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women, and calls for gender equality. Since full gender equality has yet to be achieved, IWD calls for women across the world to come together to force the world to recognise these inequalities. 

In order to overcome some of the current barriers blocking the way to full gender equality, let us #BeBoldForChange by helping to forge a better working world – a more gender inclusive world. On the occasion of the 2017 International Women’s Day, AER President Dr. Hande Özsan Bozatli urges all member regions to foster women’s participation and activism in the social and political spheres across all cultures: “Men and women alike must stand firm and take bold actions to support gender equality and education is a powerful tool to make this fundamental human right a reality”.

To this date, AER has been active on gender equality issues for many years; in fact, the current Equal Opportunities Group started off as a Working Group on Gender Equality. In 2006, AER confirmed its commitment to the promotion of gender equality by adopting the Kiruna Declaration. This past year, AER organised an Equal Opportunities Forum on “Women in Emergency situations” in Timis County. 

 Join us and #BeBoldForChange, as this year’s theme calls us to do.