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 Nations’ lead, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands proclaim March 2023 as CNMI Women’s Month and March 8, 2023 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 2023 Women’s Month is WELLNESS: Women Entrepreneurs Leading Life, Nourishing Economic Sustainable Solutions and the International Women’s Day theme is Embrace Equity; 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; and,
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, I, ARNOLD I. PALACIOS, Governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, AND, I, DAVID M. APATANG, Lt. Governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands by virtue of the authority vested in us by the Constitution and Laws of the Commonwealth, do hereby proclaim March 2023 as
CNMI WOMEN’S MONTH
and March 8, 2023 as
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
We encourage the community to raise awareness on women’s rights and gender equality, take part in the appropriate programs and events of this month, and recognize the meaningful and impactful contributions of women not just in the CNMI, but around the world.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have hereunto set our hands on this 1st day of March 2023.
/s/
ARNOLD I. PALACIOS
Governor
/s/
DAVID M. APATANG
Lieutenant Governor
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