Commonwealth Day 2011 

"Women as Agents of Change "
is the theme of Commonwealth Day 2011
to be observed on Monday, 14 March 2011

Commonwealth Day is celebrated on the second Monday in March every year. The aim of commemorating Commonwealth Day is to promote understanding on global issues, international co-operation and the work of the Commonwealth to improve the lives of its two billion citizens.

This year, Commonwealth Day is Monday, 14 March 2011. The theme is "Women as Agents of Change".

The theme, celebrated throughout the year, with special events taking place during the week of Commonwealth Day (14-20 March), means that by investing in women and girls, we can accelerate social, economic and political progress.

Women and girls make up over half of the world’s population. In the Commonwealth, that’s over one billion people. By educating them, giving them accessible health care and making sure they are treated fairly and have the same opportunities and protection as men and boys, we can go a long way towards addressing the many problems of the world.

Women and girls need to be included at all levels of decision making to ensure that their needs are properly met. This will benefit us all.

Within the Commonwealth community, there are 54 member countries, some two billion people, and a great diversity of cultures, voices and opinions. We are of different nationalities, ethnicity, faiths and political beliefs. But we share common values such as democracy, just and honest government, and advancing the cause of peace and prosperity.

While respecting our differences, the Commonwealth works to promote international understanding, equality and mutual respect in our multicultural world.

Further information about this year's Commonwealth Day theme and activities can be found on the Commonwealth Secretariat web site, the Commonwealth Foundation ('Friends' of the Commonwealth) web site, the Royal Commonwealth Society web site and this year's special theme website: www.WomenAsAgentsOfChange.org.