WOMEN from all walks of life came together to celebrate International Women's Day yesterday.

The message was clear that the authorities should ensure correct measures are in place for equal gender representation in all sectors.

International Women's Day is celebrated around the world on March 8.

In line with the 2011 United Nations theme emphasising women's access to education, technology and decent work, women called for a fair representation of women in leadership and management.

At a mass prayer organised by the ANC Women's League at Ilembe Auditorium in KwaDukuza, KwaZulu-Natal, women from different churches met to celebrate the achievements of women, their successes in empowering each other and their hard-earned place in society.

ANCWL provincial secretary Nonhlanhla Khoza said although women had equal opportunities in accessing education, qualified women were still under- represented in the workplace.

"Women these days are educated, but high positions are still occupied by men.

"When women are troubled, they kneel down and pray and that is why we have chosen to pray about it," she said.

The KwaZulu-Natal Veterans' League presented a trophy to Menzi High School, which had a 100percent pass rate last year.

League provincial secretary Theresa Mthembu said: "A girl child these days has an equal opportunity to education, unlike before. Success does not come easy unless you have education. They must grab this opportunity with both hands."

The Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa's spokesperson Asanda Fongqo said the extra funds allocated for job creation in the budget speech last month should chiefly focus on women empowerment as this group has been historically marginalised and still not afforded adequate opportunities.