PA/11/14 7 March 2014
AUSTRALIA MARKS INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
Australia’s High Commissioner to India Patrick Suckling will commemorate International Women’s Day tomorrow in Varanasi with the Satyagyan Foundation, an NGO which works to help women access economic opportunities.
Mr Suckling will be a Chief Guest at the Foundation’s IWD celebrations, which will include a women’s kabaddi tournament.
International Women’s Day, which is marked during the week of Saturday, 8 March, is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women, and consider what everyone can do to overcome the hurdles women continue to face.
On International Women’s Day and throughout the year, the Australian Government is working to empower women around the world to help promote economic development and growth.
“Around half of Australia’s aid budget is spent on initiatives, policies and programs that have at their heart a significant focus on gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls,” Mr Suckling said.
“Satyagyan Foundation exemplifies this ethos. It does wonderful work to train, employ and support women so that they can attain a sustainable livelihood for themselves and their families.”
Satyagyan was established in 2009 works in the communities of Varanasi in eastern Uttar Pradesh, one of India's poorest states.
You can find out more about Satyagyan Foundation here –
http://www.satyagyan.com/home
For more information please contact Shekhar Nambiar +91 9810 154 167