BANGKOK (United Nations Information Services)—The International Women's Day is observed worldwide every year on the 8th of March since its first observance by the United Nations in 1975.  The Day is an important occasion to highlight the accomplishments and struggles of women in achieving equality, development and peace.

This year, the Gender, Women and Development (GWAD) Working Group under the United Nations Resident Coordinator System of Thailand and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) will celebrate the International Women's Day under the theme "Women Making Peace" with a day of formal activities to be held on the Wednesday, 8th of March 2000 at the United Nations Conference Centre.

The celebration will also include an exhibition by various United Nations agencies and invited NGO's, and a handicraft fair with products from women's groups and the women artist group Womanifesto to promote their development activities.  The handcraft fair and exhibition will continue until the 9th of March (08.30 – 15.00 hours).

Programme for 8th of March

 8.30am - 9.00am Opening session
 
9.00am – 12.00pm Theatre Performances (in Thai) by:

Maykheet Fai (supported by UNIFEM)
Makhampom (supported by UNICEF)
ASPnet (supported by UNESCO)
 
1.00pm – 4.00pm Panel discussion (in English) ‘Women Making Peace' in:
The family
Community
Refugees
Ethnic Minorities