Bandar Seri Begawan - 'Women in our country today have successfully penetrated career fields which have been traditionally dominated by men, such as military, engineering and sports'.

Brunei Darussalam this year celebrates the International Women's Day 2013 with "Agenda Gender: Mencapai Momentum" or "Gender Agenda: Achieving Momentum" as its theme.

The event was hosted by the Community Development Department (JAPEM) under the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and held at its Dewan Digadong.

A total of about 450 participants comprising members of the Brunei Darussalam National Women's Council (MWNBD), the Brunei Darussalam Social Welfare Council (MKM), the Women's Business Council (WBC) and trainers from the Youth Development Centre were present at the event.

The guest of honour was Datin Paduka Hajah Adina binti Othman, the Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports.

"Women in our country today are not only actively involved in the running of projects and programmes, but have also contributed effectively in the planning, administration and management. They have successfully penetrated career fields which have been traditionally dominated by men, such as military, engineering and sports," stated the deputy minister in her opening speech.

"In accordance with this year's theme for the International Women's Day chosen by the United Nations Organisation this year, that is 'A promise is a promise; Time for action to end violence against women', I would like to call on all stakeholders to take a more proactive action to empower women so that they are able to solve their own problems and overcome all the challenges they face," the deputy minister added.

Also present at the event were Awang Haji Ismail bin Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Setia Dato Paduka Haji Hashim, the Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Dayang Hajah Misnah binti Haji Bolhassan, the Director of the Community Development Department, directors, heads of department and senior officials of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.

In the welcoming speech delivered by Dayang Hajah Misnah, she stated that women have welcomed the progress and continued to work hard to ensure the security of the changes that have been made so far.

"Protection of rights, especially those related to violence against women, continues to be fought, and the wellbeing of women becomes a high priority to safeguard the happiness of families which is fundamental to the prosperity and harmony of the country," Dayang Hajah Misnah said.

The event was further enlivened with a Tausyeh performance and a motivational lecture presented by Ustaz Isham bin Awang Ismail from the Islamic Dakwah Centre under the Ministry of Religious Affairs, entitled "Sepetang Bersama Wanita" or "An Afternoon with Women".