PROCLAMATION

CNMI Women’s Month

March 2022

International Women’s Day

March 8, 2022

WHEREAS, in 1977, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution calling on member states to proclaim a day for women’s rights and international peace and following the United Nation’s lead, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands proclaim March 2022 as CNMI Women’s Month and March 8, 2022 as International Women’s Day; and,

WHEREAS, in 1979 the United Nations adopted the Convention of the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), providing a mechanism for governments to make commitments ensuring equal access to equal opportunities in political and public life, as well as education, health and employment; and,

WHEREAS, the women of the CNMI have made historic contributions to the growth and strength of the Northern Mariana Islands in countless recorded and unrecorded ways; and,

WHEREAS, the women of the CNMI have played a unique role throughout the history of the CNMI by providing much of the volunteer labor force; and,

WHEREAS, the women of the CNMI were particularly important in the establishment of early charitable, philanthropic, and cultural institutions in the Northern Mariana Islands; and,

WHEREAS, the women of the CNMI continue to serve our nation at the highest levels of government and our Armed Forces; and,

WHEREAS, this year, we continue to celebrate the economic, educational, political, and social achievements of women past, present, and future; and,

WHEREAS, the CNMI theme for the 2022 Women’s Month is Gender Equality: Key to Sustainable Development and the International Women’s Day theme is Break The Bias and,

WHEREAS, empowering women and promoting gender equality is crucial to accelerating sustainable development. Ending all forms of discrimination against women and girls is not only a basic human right, but it also has a multiplier effect across all other development areas. Gender equality is a goal in its own right and a key factor for stable economic growth, social development, and environmental sustainability.

WHEREAS, the Women’s Affairs Office (WAO) under the Office of the Governor and the CNMI Women’s Association (CWA), remain the beacon to promote the interests of women, assist agencies of government and private organizations to plan and implement programs and services, and further commit to advocate, guide, and light the way for the continued progress and prosperity of the CNMI; and,

WHEREAS, this month will feature a series of events to reflect the extraordinary accomplishments of women and their roles in shaping the course of the Commonwealth’s history.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT IRALPH DLG. TORRES, Governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Laws of the Commonwealth, do hereby proclaim March 2022 as

CNMI WOMEN’S MONTH

and March 8, 2022 as

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hands on this 1st day of March 2022.

/s/

RALPH DLG. TORRES

Governor

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Office of CNMI Governor and Lt. Governor

Empowering the Youth, Shaping the Future

Lieutenant Governor David M. Apatang, together with Delbert T. Pua, Special Assistant for the Office of Youth Affairs, recently proclaimed October 2024 as Youth Empowerment Month. The proclamation was made in the presence of members of the Legislature, Cabinet officials, and community partners, all united in their commitment to improving the lives of our youth.

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