Minister’s Message on International Women’s Day 2014

March 8, 2014

MORI Masako
Minister in Charge of Women’s Empowerment
Minister of State for Gender Equality

March 8th is International Women’s Day.

“Equality for Women is progress for all.” This is the theme the United Nations has selected for this year’s International Women’s Day celebration.

In Japan, active participation by women is necessary to resolve various issues including revitalization of our economy and reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake.

We will create a society in which all women can enjoy equal treatment and shine with confidence and pride in their way of life. We believe our efforts will lead to further progress in Japan as a whole.

Therefore, we are developing policies and trying to raise social awareness so that women can build their careers and both women and men can balance between their work and child rearing. We are also addressing eradication of all forms of violence against women, disaster prevention and reconstruction from a gender-equal perspective, among other important issues.

Now, creating “society in which women can shine” is not only a task for Japan.

Last year, in the address at the 68th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations, Prime Minister Abe expressed his wish to bring about a “society in which women can shine,” both within Japan and in regions in conflict and countries suffering from poverty. We will make further active contributions to international initiatives.

I celebrate International Women’s Day with women all over the world and reaffirm our commitment to advance gender equality and to create a society in which all women and men can shine.