THIS month, the CNMI is joining the global community in honoring women by observing Women’s Month and International Women’s Day.
Joined by first lady Diann T. Torres, representatives from the Women’s Affairs Office and CNMI Women’s Association, as well as several other inspiring women from the local community, Gov. Ralph DLG Torres on Tuesday officially proclaimed March as CNMI Women’s Month and March 8, 2022 as International Women’s Day in the CNMI.
The proclamation noted that 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.
In 1979, the U.N. adopted the Convention of the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, or 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.
“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,” the proclamation reads.
Moreover, it says that CNMI women have played a unique role throughout the history of the islands by providing much of the volunteer labor force, and were particularly important in the establishment of early charitable, philanthropic, and cultural institutions in the Northern Marianas.
It also recognized CNMI women serving the nation at the highest levels of government, as well as in the armed forces.
“This year, we continue to celebrate the economic, educational, political, and social achievements of women past, present, and future,” it reads.
The theme for this year’s CNMI Women’s Month is “Gender Equality: Key to Sustainable Development,” while the theme for International Women’s Day is “Break the Bias.”
The proclamation also stated that the WAO and the 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.”
“To all you ladies, one way or another, I know that you have made sacrifice,” the governor said. “I know that you have served as a mentor, one way or another, to someone, so I just want to say thank you. Your touch goes a long way.”
First lady Diann Torres, for her part, encouraged women to embrace every individual they meet, but to also surround themselves with positive people.
“Because that trickles down into your homes; that trickles down into our community,” she said.
Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. Chief Executive Officer Esther L. Muna said her “inspirational message to women in the CNMI is this: embrace emotionality, and emotional intelligence. What a great asset to have.”
She added, “Emotional intelligence is the ability to understand, use, and manage your own emotions in positive ways to relieve stress, communicate effectively, empathize with others, overcome challenges, and defuse conflict.”
This month-long celebration will feature a series of events to reflect the extraordinary accomplishments of women and their roles in shaping the course of the NMI’s history.
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres signs a proclamation designating March as CNMI Women’s Month and March 8, 2022 as International Women’s Day in the Commonwealth.
