Dharamshala: “For the last couple of years, the Tibetan community has witnessed a remarkable stride in women’s participation in prominent roles for the progress of society which is a noteworthy achievement”, remarked Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay addressing the gathering on the occasion of Tibetan Women Day.

In observance of the day’s significance, the Women Empowerment Desk (WED) of the Central Tibetan Administration has organised a program titled ‘Women in Leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world’ to commemorate the remarkable contributions and achievements of Tibetan women.

CTA officials including Kalons; heads of autonomous bodies, Secretaries, Additional Secretaries, and Joint Secretaries attended the gathering.

Sikyong appreciated the critical roles played by women across the globe in the face of challenges posed by the pandemic while emphasising that the women-led countries including New Zealand, Taiwan, and Germany have done far better in containing the pandemic than the countries led by men.

In the case of the Tibetan community, Sikyong shed a light on the crucial role played by women in leadership in responding to covid and administering the welfare of the public.

“The Health Department which has been a key crusader during the incredibly hard times has 71 percent of women staff and with their contributions, we have been quite successful in handling the covid crisis in the community”, said Sikyong further adding that the administration is comprised of a number of women holding various leadership positions including a female Kalon of Education.

Sikyong concluded by applauding the Women Empowerment Desk for enhancing, promoting women inclusions, and being the change-makers in the community besides raising awareness on the issue of gender-based violence, gender discrimination, violence against women as well as on building a gender-equal society in the long run.

Following Sikyong’s address, a short documentary was screened about how Tibetan women from different walks of life resisted and overcame the limitations posed by the pandemic.

Women Empowerment Desk’s staff Tenzin Tseten read out the agendas of the occasion emphasising women’s rights for equal future-generation equality and the effective participation of women in shaping the world that is recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.