Ki-moon for ensuring equal access of women to edn

United Nations (UN) Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has said the International Women's Day of this year focuses on equal access to education, training, and science and technology, reports BSS. In a message on the eve of the day, he said, "Only through women's full and equal participation in all areas of public and private life we can hope to achieve sustainable, peaceful and a just society promised in the UN Charter." Cell phones and Internet can enable women to improve the health and well-being of their families, take advantage of income-earning opportunities, and protect themselves from exploitation and vulnerability, he added. The UN Secretary General said access to such tools, backed up by education and training, can help women to break the cycle of poverty, combat injustice and exercise their rights, he added. UNB report adds: Speakers at a discussion in the city have urged the civil society, NGOs and the government to help provide equal opportunity to women in the interest of national progress and development.. They also called upon the government to put women and children's rights and health issues high on its agenda. 'Amra Kuri', a juvenile organization, in collaboration with UNFPA organised the programme on the eve of the International Women's Day 2011 at the Shishu Academy in the city Sunday.