International Women's Day — History & Significance

International Women’s Day is celebrated every year on March 8th to honour female empowerment, economical, cultural, and political accomplishments.The celebration honours women’s accomplishments, raises awareness about gender equality, and advocates for gender parity to be achieved sooner rather than later.

Timeline of History : International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day arose from the efforts of labour organisations across North America and Europe around the turn of the twentieth century, according to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization.
The first National Woman’s Day was marked in the United States on February 28 1909, which was dedicated by the Socialist Party of America in honour of the 1908 garment workers’ strike in New York, where women protested against poor working conditions,” according to UNESCO.
On the last Sunday in February in 1917, Russian women chose to protest and strike under the slogan “Bread and Peace” . Their efforts eventually resulted in the implementation of women’s suffrage in Russia.
The United Nations Charter was the first international accord to recognise the ideal of equality between men and women in 1945, but the UN did not commemorate its first official International Women’s Day until March 8, 1975, during International Women’s Year.

Significance of International Women Day

This day is significant because it is a day when the world celebrates women’s accomplishments, promotes awareness about gender equality, and accelerates gender parity, as well as raising funds for various female-focused charities.

According to UNESCO, “International Women’s Day is a time to highlight advances toward gender equality and empowerment of women, as well as reflect critically on those achievements and aspire for a greater momentum toward gender equality globally.” It’s a day to honour women’s achievements and come together as a force to promote gender equality around the world.”