Source: Tanzania Daily News
AS women mark their special day on Thursday, Zanzibar President Dr Ali Mohamed Shein has said there have remarkable women achievements on the Isles.

Dr Shein made the remarks in a meeting with UN Secretary General special representative -planning and policy for women, Mr John Hendra. Dr Shein told Mr Hendra that the Islands have a favourable social, political and economic environment for women to seize development opportunities and overcome abuse.

A State House press release said Dr Shein said Zanzibar has been transforming and women's rights are respected.He thanked the UN organization for continued support for Zanzibar to achieve its development goals; including Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) number 3 (promote gender equality and empower women).

"We want to make sure women are involved in decision-making. The good performance shown by female students in schools is a living example," said Dr Shein.He said gender balance was being practiced in most government organizations.

"We are happy to have a ministry responsible for women and children, we plan to establish a women development bank, and we hope to end abuse on women and children," he said.In response, the UN official said he was impressed by women's development on the Islands, saying more should be done though to help women.

"Peace and stability are important for people including women's development. I advise Zanzibaris to nurture the current peace and stability and work hard," he said. The International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8 every year. Thousands of events occur not just on this day but throughout March to mark women's economic, political and social achievements.

Organizations, governments, charities and women's groups around the world choose different themes that reflect global and local gender issues.United Nations overall theme for 2012 is "Empower Rural Women - End Hunger and Poverty" while Tanzania's theme is "End abuse on women and girls."

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