International Women's Day has been observed since in the early 1900's, a
time of great expansion and turbulence in the industrialized world that saw
booming population growth and the rise of radical ideologies.
1908
Great unrest and critical debate was occurring amongst women. Women's
oppression and inequality was spurring women to become more vocal and active in
campaigning for change. Then in 1908, 15,000 women marched through New York City
demanding shorter hours, better pay and voting rights.
1909
In accordance with a declaration by the Socialist Party of America, the
first National Woman's Day (NWD) was observed across the United States on 28
February. Women continued to celebrate NWD on the last Sunday of February until
1913.
1910
In 1910 a second International Conference of Working Women was held in
Copenhagen. A woman named a Clara Zetkin (Leader of the 'Women's Office' for the
Social Democratic Party in Germany) tabled the idea of an International Women's
Day. She proposed that every year in every country there should be a celebration
on the same day - a Women's Day - to press for their demands. The conference of
over 100 women from 17 countries, representing unions, socialist parties,
working women's clubs, and including the first three women elected to the
Finnish parliament, greeted Zetkin's suggestion with unanimous approval and thus
International Women's Day was the result.
1911
Following the decision agreed at Copenhagen in 1911, International
Women's Day (IWD) was honoured the first time in Austria, Denmark, Germany and
Switzerland on 19 March. More than one million women and men attended IWD
rallies campaigning for women's rights to work, vote, be trained, to hold public
office and end discrimination. However less than a week later on 25 March, the
tragic 'Triangle Fire' in New York City took the lives of more than 140 working
women, most of them Italian and Jewish immigrants. This disastrous event drew
significant attention to working conditions and labour legislation in the United
States that became a focus of subsequent International Women's Day events. 1911
also saw women's 'Bread and Roses' campaign.
1913-1914
On the eve of World War I campaigning for peace, Russian women observed
their first International Women's Day on the last Sunday in February 1913. In
1913 following discussions, International Women's Day was transferred to 8 March
and this day has remained the global date for International Wommen's Day ever
since. In 1914 further women across Europe held rallies to campaign against the
war and to express women's solidarity.
1917
On the last Sunday of February, Russian women began a strike for "bread
and peace" in response to the death over 2 million Russian soldiers in war.
Opposed by political leaders the women continued to strike until four days later
the Czar was forced to abdicate and the provisional Government granted women the
right to vote. The date the women's strike commenced was Sunday 23 February on
the Julian calendar then in use in Russia. This day on the Gregorian calendar in
use elsewhere was 8 March.
1918-1999
Since its birth in the socialist movement, International Women's Day has
grown to become a global day of recognition and celebration across developed and
developing countries alike. For decades, IWD has grown from strength to strength
annually. For many years the United Nations has held an annual IWD conference to
coordinate international efforts for women's rights and participation in social,
political and economic processes. 1975 was designated as 'International Women's
Year' by the United Nations. Women's organisations and governments around the
world have also observed IWD annually on 8 March by holding large-scale events
that honour women's advancement and while diligently reminding of the continued
vigilance and action required to ensure that women's equality is gained and
maintained in all aspects of life.
2000
and beyond
IWD is now an official holiday in Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan,
Belarus, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, China (for women only), Cuba, Georgia,
Guinea-Bissau, Eritrea, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Madagascar (for women only),
Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Nepal (for women only), Russia, Tajikistan,
Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Zambia. The tradition
sees men honouring their mothers, wives, girlfriends, colleagues, etc with
flowers and small gifts. In some countries IWD has the equivalent status of
Mother's Day where children give small presents to their mothers and
grandmothers.
The new millennium has witnessed a significant change and attitudinal
shift in both women's and society's thoughts about women's equality and
emancipation. Many from a younger generation feel that 'all the battles have
been won for women' while many feminists from the 1970's know only too well the
longevity and ingrained complexity of patriarchy. With more women in the
boardroom, greater equality in legislative rights, and an increased critical
mass of women's visibility as impressive role models in every aspect of life,
one could think that women have gained true equality. The unfortunate fact is
that women are still not paid equally to that of their male counterparts, women
still are not present in equal numbers in business or politics, and globally
women's education, health and the violence against them is worse than that of
men.
However, great improvements have been made. We do have female astronauts
and prime ministers, school girls are welcomed into university, women can work
and have a family, women have real choices. And so the tone and nature of IWD
has, for the past few years, moved from being a reminder about the negatives to
a celebration of the positives.
Annually on 8 March, thousands of events are held throughout the world
to inspire women and celebrate achievements. A global web of rich and diverse
local activity connects women from all around the world ranging from political
rallies, business conferences, government activities and networking events
through to local women's craft markets, theatric performances, fashion parades
and more.
Many global corporations have also started to more actively support IWD
by running their own internal events and through supporting external ones. For
example, on 8 March search engine and media giant Google some years even changes
its logo on its global search pages. Year on year IWD is certainly increasing in
status. The United States even designates the whole month of March as 'Women's
History Month'.
So make a difference, think globally and act locally !! Make everyday
International Women's Day. Do your bit to ensure that the future for girls is
bright, equal, safe and rewarding. |