Let women be heard
GREAT men had great mothers. This was the message from the Fiji Muslim Women's League national president Zinnatun Nisha Buksh as Fiji joins the rest of the world to celebrate International Women's Day today.
She says women have always played an important role in the progress of a nation and therefore the progress of a nation depends on how mothers bring up their children.
Ms Buksh says women are the hardest working human beings in this world and was thankful that a day is set aside to celebrate the important roles women play in their families, society, village and the country as a whole.
She said women worked hard for their families and did odd jobs to fend for their families.
"Women sacrifice a lot for their families," Ms Buksh said.
"They do a lot of work that includes looking after the house, raising the children, looking after the family and their husbands as well.
"In our society we've seen that when men passed away women are the ones that take up men's roles and look after their families but unfortunately this is sometimes not appreciated at home."
She says a woman's character is much more responsible, stable and consistent.
"She is capable of absorbing many changes and coping with long-term challenges—a quality that comes from her natural ability to carry an embryo and develop life within her. "As a social worker for women I can proudly say that in the grassroot level women work so much, sacrifice a lot for their families and yes they deserve our respect, undivided attention, love, support and words of encouragement. The world will be a better place when women are heard."
Ms Buksh advised members of the public to support women.
"Courage sisters do not stumble though their past be dark as night there's a star to guide your humble, trust in God and do the right."