*Statement by Dr. Eleanor Nwadinobi, President of the Medical Women’s Association on International Women’s Day 2021*

Happy International Women’s day 2021 to all women around the world .

We commemorate the day under the theme “Women in leadership :achieving an equal future in the COVID-19 world “ and the campaign theme #choosetochallenge .

I raise my hand boldly to challenge the obnoxious and obscene acts of criminality and cruelty in the form of femicide, violence against women and girls including sexual violence, harmful traditional practices and kidnappings

I choose to celebrate the increasing number of women in leadership across the world as Presidents, Prime Ministers , Executive directors, Heads of corporations etc who have broken the glass ceiling and our role models for young girls.

I choose to challenge the status quo in areas where there are barriers and hindrances to women rising to positions of leadership.

In order to achieve an equal future in a COVID-19 world, the resilience, ingenuity and creativity of women must be recognized as a blueprint for building back better.

In a post COVID-19 world. let us borrow this tried and tested template from women as we plan for a world of equality and human flourishing for women alongside men.

I salute and celebrate my medical women colleagues and the army of healthcare professionals around the world who continue to fight in the frontlines of the Covid-19 battles.

Excelsior!