The mother receives the foremost place in a family unit which is the foundation of our social structure, he added.

Women can immensely contribute in the programme of poverty eradication. A challenging responsibility falls on women to save their husbands or children from alcoholism, the President emphasized.

Following is the full text of the message:

I am pleased to send this message to the Women’s Day National Celebration, held for the first time in a free and independent Sri Lanka after rooting out the menace of LTTE terrorism that was the main obstacle to the progress of our country.

Terrorism was a huge barrier to ensuring women’s economic empowerment and guaranteeing their dignity, honour and security. We have now created a suitable environment for all women who suffered due to terrorism, to live in Sri Lanka with self-esteem.

The mother receives the foremost place in a family unit which is the foundation of our social structure. When living in cooperation as a family which consists of the mother, father and children, the family progresses with love, compassion and kindness as well as peace. A peaceful family encourages the nation’s development.

Women are oppressed because of the consequences of socio- economic problems such as alcoholism and poverty. The ability to completely overcome alcoholism will help the eradication of poverty. Women can immensely contribute in the programme of poverty eradication. A challenging responsibility falls on women to save their husbands or children from alcoholism. Even though the main barrier for development of Sri Lanka has been removed, as a nation we are yet to overcome many more challenges.

It is timely that the 2010 Women’s Day theme is ‘Women’s contribution in the Decade of Prosperity’.

I wish the 2010 International Women’s Day National Celebration all success.

Courtesy: GDI