From: Berhane Habtemariam (Berhane.Habtemariam@gmx.de)
Date: Tue Dec 01 2009 - 12:07:20 EST
President Isaias Afwerki's Speech On The Occasion Of The Commemoration Of
The 30th Anniversary Of The NUEW
01/12/2009
Ladies and Gentlemen
On this historic occasion marking the 30th anniversary of the establishment
of the National Union of Eritrean Women (NUEW), I congratulate the entire
Eritrean people, particularly women. I would also like to express my
appreciation to all those who worked to organize this event.
Although there might be a number of issues to raise on this auspicious
occasion, I would only now mention a few salient points.
http://www.shabait3.com/images/stories/dec2president.jpg
Few experiences in the history of the contemporary world could compare with
the heroic feats and fortitude of Eritrean women during the armed struggle
for independence, and hence their role does not need any further
embellishment. The Eritrean people's greatest and most proud struggle for
freedom would indeed have been incomplete without the active participation
of women. Thus, the role and place of women in the nation's history cannot
be viewed in isolation from the history of mass struggle as a whole. Still,
such a proud history and accomplishment is something that was made a reality
through hard work and one that cannot be realized in a vacuum short of
relentless effort.
A history of proud accomplishment indeed stimulates human conscience,
besides serving as a driving force for greater success. Strength or a
driving force is not merely static or something one can resort to
automatically, but rather a dynamic phenomenon that continues to gain
strength from time to time. What we need to take note of on this momentous
occasion is the extent to which we can make use of the dynamism created as a
result of past achievements in the ongoing nation-building process.
The history of various peoples has it own unique phases and stages. In the
course of the history of societal development, both men and women have
equally worked hard to bring about improvement in their respective standards
of living. Parallel with this, the position of various sections of society,
especially the status and role of women in the community began to develop in
the course of different historical stages.
http://www.shabait3.com/images/stories/dec2-nuew.jpgA number of
retrogressive, outdated and new social orders have been nurturing backward
cultures in a bid to promote the domination and monopoly of special sections
in society, thus marginalizing the majority, including both men and women.
Even more distressing is the fact that the position and role of women was
grossly undermined. The struggle for liberation, be it at the national or
social level, is always a dynamic movement aimed at putting an end to such
gross injustice.
And if at all we are to make new history, we should take concerted action
towards improving people's standard of living on the basis of qualitative
and productive, as well as fair and effective division of labor, and thus
achieve sustainable socio-economic transformation. .
The task of nurturing the desired culture and political state of affairs
should be targeted towards achieving the set goal. Hence, the struggle of
the Eritrean people in general and the role and participation of women in
particular could not be viewed in isolation from this context. Impediments
to improved standard of living should as well be done away with through fair
and effective division of labor, as well as basic and continuous
socio-economic transformation. In line with this logic, the entire
population should strive towards ensuring the role and contribution of women
in the nation-building process.
In this respect, the NUEW, as forefront organization, is duty-bound to
fulfill such a mission in a dynamic manner. And that instead of dwelling on
laudable past achievements, a new and uninterrupted history needs to be
accomplished. Moreover, the task of not only mapping out effective programs
and putting in place strong organizational capacity but also exerting
vigorous endeavors are imperative to realize the set target.
It is worth noting at this juncture that due emphasis should be made on
avoiding unnecessary wastage of energy and time on irrelevant and secondary
issues.
On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the National
Union of Eritrean Women, I wish the Eritrean people in general and the Union
in particular success in their endeavors to register still more gratifying
achievements.
Glory to our Martyrs!
Victory to the Masses!
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