Message from Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga on the occasion of the Women’s International Day
On this 8 March, the official Women’s day adopted by the United Nations, I send my warmest greetings of universal sisterhood to girls and women across the world.
I celebrate the achievements of all the talented, strong and successful women who have broken through an endless variety of glass ceilings. I feel for all the girls and women who daily suffer injustice, prejudice, violence and violation. I encourage them to remember that they have an inherent worth and value as unique human beings that no force in the world can take away from them. Women have the same right as men to love, compassion, respect and dignity; they have the same right to pursue their dreams and to develop their talents.
Dear girls and women across the world – stay strong and beautiful and follow fearlessly the path that each of you have chosen as your own!
Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga
President, Club de Madrid
President, Republic of Latvia (1999-2007)