Tibetan Women’s Empowerment Day
DHARAMSHALA: Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama will grace the first official “Tibetan Women’s Day” event organised by the Central Tibetan Administration at Tsuglagkhang on 12 March.
The official observing of Tibetan Women’s Day is to strengthen the steadfast commitment of the Central Tibetan Administration in recognising and empowering Tibetan women and enabling them to fully participate and contribute towards the advancement of Tibetan society.
In December 2016, His Holiness the Dalai Lama conferred the historic Geshema degree to twenty Buddhist nuns in a step aimed at heralding gender equality in education and economic opportunities.
The Kashag further unveiled a revised version of the ‘Tibetan Women’s Empowerment Policy’ and subsequently convened the first ever ‘Tibetan Women’s Empowerment Conference’ in February this year. It was aimed at realising His Holiness’ vision of seeing Tibetan women contribute to global and peaceful leadership in the 21st century.
The Kashag then designated 12 March every year as ‘Tibetan Women’s Day’ to achieve socio-political empowerment of Tibetan women.
His Holiness has lauded the Kashag for its consistent efforts in empowering women and further declared that “time has come for Tibetan women who have both the potential and the opportunity to express their leadership prowess to contribute towards global peace and harmony.”
12 March is a significant date, as on 12 March 1959, Tibetan women in Tibet stood united against the Chinese communist regime’s unlawful occupation of Tibet. This marked the first Tibetan Women’s Uprising day and Tibetan women continue to be at the forefront of the non-violent Tibetan freedom struggle.
The Tibetan Women’s Day event will be be webcast live on Tibet TV (Youtube and Facebook page)
