The celebration of International Women's Day focused on the theme “Woman and Decision Making” in Madagascar. The celebration was held in Fort Dauphin in the south of Madagascar.

The Ministry for Population, the lead for the official celebration, has opted for a second theme “Women as full actor in development” in order to better draw attention to women's effective participation.

A praying breakfast opened the ceremony. The First Lady, Mrs Lalao Ravalomanana, addressed the participants. She insisted on the fact that women are partners to men in development. They have a role to play for Madagascar development and it is time we took actions to get over the barrier which is an impediment to women's emancipation.

The UN System Resident Coordinator read the message from the Secretary-General who equally stresses women's effective participation in decision making.

UNIC also organised a workshop on “Women and Decision Making” to commemorate the day. UNIC National Information Officer explained the role of women in the media and women's access to ITC. As for the UNDP expert, he made a presentation on women's participation to decision making in institutions.

The presentation targeted mayors from the communes in the region, and representatives of local women's groups.

At the end of the workshop, participants promised to create regional committees for gender balance, to have women take part in meetings where decisions are made, to build capacities of women and better work for literacy campaigns, to take part in the micro start project, a project for the creation of income-generating activities and micro finance helping women groups to have a source of income.