IN COUNTRIES around the world 8 March is marked as International Women’s Day (IWD). Officially endorsed by the United Nations, IWD is an annual global celebration of women’s rights and social, political and economic development, but also a reminder of ongoing struggles for equality.

In Finland the day is marked by observances held by NGOs and official bodies, and it is the main event of the spring season for the Finnish chapter of Unifem, the United Nations Development Fund for Women. Besides an annual Unifem Women’s Day event held at the University of Helsinki and various local observances around the country, this year a special drive is held to raise funds to help women in disaster-stricken Haiti.

“The money we collect is used in ongoing projects run by Unifem in Haiti,” says Julia Evans of Unifem Finland. “The funds go to rebuilding and maintaining safe houses for women in two large cities, Port-Au-Prince and Jacmel.”

A humanitarian disaster such as last December’s devastating earthquake in Haiti affects men, women, boys and girls differently. In a society that is in a state of crisis women and girls are often in the most vulnerable position. Under the harsh and often lawless conditions of overcrowded camps, rape, sexual abuse and trafficking of women and children are among the most serious problems.

MATTI KOSKINEN - HT
Lehtikuva - Shannon Stapleton