International Day of Sport for Development and Peace
The United Nations have proclaimed the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace on April 06, and is celebrated annually to promote peace through sports. Values of sports like tolerance, fairness, teamwork, and mutual respect support a peaceful living together in solidarity. It is a day when some sport and development actors work together with communities to bring sporting opportunities to enrich lives, particularly youth.
Sport activities and events have been particularly affected by the necessary health measures and restrictions imposed in countries around the world. Despite this challenge, this day remains a great opportunity for the sport and development community to showcase the ways sport has been helping countries, communities, and individuals to navigate these challenging times and build back better. The International Day of Sport for Development and Peace promotes healthy lifestyles and focuses on giving as many people as possible access to sport. Sport is a powerful tool to strengthen social ties and networks, and to promote ideals of peace, fraternity, solidarity, non-violence, tolerance, and justice.
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed on 21st March yearly, to remind everyone of the consequences of racial discrimination and also encourages people to remember their obligation to combat racial discrimination. It is a day of great significance in the history of the struggle to end the policy of Apartheid which segregated people on the basis of their race and skin colour as well as denied the basic human rights of the minority.
Racial discrimination is a poison that diminishes individuals and societies, perpetuates inequality and feeds anger, bitterness, and violence. The fight against racism and all forms of discrimination is a mainstay of peace and social cohesion, especially in our increasingly diverse societies. On the occasion of International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, WAY calls on young people, member organisations, and partners to step up their efforts to build a more inclusive, more giving, and fairer world.
International Women's Day
“We need women’s representation that reflects all women and girls in all their diversity and abilities, and across all cultural, social, economic and political situations. This is the only way we will get real societal change that incorporates women in decision-making as equals and benefits us all." said UN Women’s Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.
International Women’s Day celebrated every year on 8th March in order to reflect on progress made, call for change, and recognise acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities. When women lead, we see positive results. Some of the most efficient and exemplary responses to the COVID-19 pandemic were led by women. At the same time, women, especially young women, are at the forefront of diverse and inclusive movements online and on the streets for social justice, climate change, and equality in all parts of the world.
International HPV Awarness Day Campaign
Today marks the 4th annual International HPV Awareness Day, a day that is used to spread knowledge and prevention around the globe. The World Assembly of Youth (WAY) is joining forces worldwide to commemorate this Day and to spark conversation and promote a worldwide exchange of ideas, knowledge, and research materials about human papilloma viruses (HPV) and their associated diseases.
There are more than 200 different HPV types, 80 percent of people will have HPV at some point in their lifetime and while for many it will cause no harm. Whereas, some types of HPVs are known to cause certain type of cancers such as: cervical, anal, and/or pharyngeal cancer. Worldwide, cervical cancer is the fourth most frequent cancer in women and sadly an estimated 270,000 women die of cervical cancer every year.
Zero Discrimination Day
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) first celebrated the Zero Discrimination Day on 1st March 2014. Sadly, discrimination has many forms, from racial or religious discrimination to discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation or age, and to bullying at school or at work and it continues to undermine efforts to achieve a more just and equitable world and causes pain and suffering for many.
The theme for this year is “End Inequalities” and tackling inequality is not a new commitment. In 2015, all countries pledged to reduce inequality within and between countries as part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). On this day we have to highlight the urgent need to take action to end the inequalities surrounding income, sex, age, health status, occupation, disability, sexual orientation, drug use, gender identity, race, class, ethnicity and religion that continue to persist around the world.