Commemorations of the UN International Women's Day, March 8, 2012, organized by Universal Peace Federation chapters. Theme: "Empower Women: End Hunger and Poverty" The Universal Peace Federation upholds the essential value and central role of women in peacebuilding and human development. UPF affirms the need for women to serve in leadership positions throughout the world in all sectors of society. UPF recognizes the equal value of men and women. Their absolute value derives from a common origin, God. God is the origin of both men and women, and all of God’s creation manifests complementary masculine and feminine aspects. Men and women are extensions and manifestations of God’s harmonious masculinity and femininity. The complementary relationship between men and women expresses the wholeness of human experience. Thus, there should be no gender discrimination but rather harmony of the sexes through love. Throughout history, women have taken the leading role in cultivating families as the dwelling places of peace, love, and health in shaping the individual character of children, and in fostering harmonious social relationships. In the family, both father and mother are equally entitled to reverence and honor. The path toward establishing global peace begins with strengthening families. The ideal of peace is at the core of all religions. Through dialogue and mutual understanding, there can be peace among religions, and peace among religions is a necessary prerequisite for world peace. Women can and should play a central role in promoting interfaith understanding and cooperation. UPF emphasizes the essential importance of women in addressing issues of peace and development in all sectors, including politics, business, culture, and religion. Women must be encouraged and empowered to assume leadership roles in the resolution of conflict, peacebuilding, and sustainable development. UPF supports the achievement of the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals, which include improved status, education, health, and physical well-being of women. Six of these eight goals are related to women; therefore, by uplifting the condition of women, the Millennium Development Goals will be advanced.

1. INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
MARCH 8, 2012
Commemorations organized by the Universal Peace Federation
Burkina Faso Ghana United Kingdom
Central African Republic India United States
Czech Republic Nepal Uruguay
Estonia Peru
Georgia Russia

2. KOKOLOGHO, BURKINA FASO: FORUM ON
REDUCING MATERNAL MORTALITY

3. BANGUI, CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC:
WOMEN’S CONFERENCE

4. BANGUI, CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC:
AMBASSADOR FOR PEACE APPOINTMENT

5. PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC: FORUM ON
WOMEN IN THE FAMILY AND SOCIETY

6. PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC: FORUM ON
WOMEN IN THE FAMILY AND SOCIETY

7. TALLINN, ESTONIA: FORUM AND ETHNIC
DANCES

8. TALLINN, ESTONIA: FORUM AND ETHNIC
DANCES

9. TALLINN, ESTONIA: FORUM AND ETHNIC
DANCES

10. TBILISI, GEORGIA: EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
AT SCHOOL #136

11. TBILISI, GEORGIA: EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
AT SCHOOL #136

12. ACCRA, GHANA: CONFERENCE ON THE ROLE OF
WOMEN IN SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION

13. NEW DELHI, INDIA: INTERCOLLEGIATE DEBATE ON
THE EMPOWERMENT OF RURAL WOMEN

14. NEW DELHI, INDIA: INTERCOLLEGIATE DEBATE ON
THE EMPOWERMENT OF RURAL WOMEN

15. NEW DELHI, INDIA: AWARD CEREMONY
AT THE UN INFORMATION CENTRE

16. NEW DELHI, INDIA: AWARD CEREMONY
AT THE UN INFORMATION CENTRE

17. KATHMANDU NEPAL: GIVING CLOTHING AND FRUIT
TO A BLIND WIDOW

18. KATHMANDU NEPAL: SERVING A MEAL TO ELDERLY
WIDOWS

19. LIMA, PERU: FORUM IN THE NATIONAL CONGRESS

20. LIMA, PERU: PRESENTATION OF
PROTAGONIST OF PEACE AWARDS

21. NOVOSIBIRSK, RUSSIA: FORUM ON WOMEN’S
SOLIDARITY IN THE AGE OF GLOBALIZATION

22. NOVOSIBIRSK, RUSSIA: FORUM ON WOMEN’S
SOLIDARITY IN THE AGE OF GLOBALIZATION

23. LONDON, UK: FORUM AT THE HOUSE OF LORDS

24. WASHINGTON, DC, USA: FORUM ON WOMEN AND
THE WORLD AT A TURNING POINT

25. WASHINGTON, DC, USA: FORUM ON WOMEN AND
THE WORLD AT A TURNING POINT

26. MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY: FORUM ON EMPOWERING
RURAL WOMEN

27. UNIVERSAL PEACE FEDERATION
UPF.ORG