International Women’s Day (IWD) has been around for over a hundred years, as have many of the issues still impacting women’s advancement. Since 1911, IWD belongs to all who care about women’s equality. Celebrate women’s achievement. Raise awareness about discrimination. Take action to forge gender parity. All IWD activity is valid, that’s what makes IWD so inclusive.
The earliest version reported was a “Woman’s Day” organised by the Socialist Party of America in New York City on February 28, 1909. This inspired German delegates at the 1910 International Socialist Women’s Conference in Copenhagen to propose “a special Women’s Day” be organised annually, albeit with no set date; the following year saw the first demonstrations and commemorations of International Women’s Day across Europe.
Vladimir Lenin declared March 8 as International Women’s Day in 1922 to honour the women’s role in 1917 Russian Revolution; it was subsequently celebrated on that date by the socialist movement and communist countries. The holiday became a mainstream global holiday following its promotion by the United Nations in 1977.
International Women’s Day is a public holiday in several countries. The UN observes the holiday in connection with a particular issue, campaign, or theme in women’s rights.
Leave a Reply