International Women's Day

So to celebrate this day, I thought I would write a short post outlining the origins and achievements of International Women's Day.

It all started in Chicago, 1908, where they celebrated the first Women's Day. A year later, in New York City, the first International Women's Day was held. It was the Socialist Party of America which organised this day, and they were primarily concerned with the rights of working women. Demands for equality were made, and oppression of women was battled. Most of all though, women campaigned for the right to vote, something which was achieved "nationally in 1920." (Wikipedia.com)

Since then women worldwide have gone on strikes and participated in demonstrations on the 8th March each year. Notably in 1914 (the year of the first official International Women's Day) British women staged a march from Bow to Trafalgar Square in support of women's suffrage; Sylvia Pankhurst, however, was arrested on her way to speak in Trafalgar Square.

In 1977 the United Nations recognised the 8th March as a global holiday, and people were encouraged to dedicate this day to promoting women's rights.

Each year since 1996 there has been a theme assigned to each day. This year it is 'Empowering Women, Empowering Humanity: Picture it!.' I personally really like the message this portrays, it highlights the fact that women's rights are relevant for all of humanity. By empowering and liberating women we will inevitably have a better society, and we should strive to achieve equality. Since this  benefits at least 49.6% of the population (although arguably men would, of course, also be better off), I cannot see this would not be a good idea.

In summary, this is a day we should all be proud of, and thankful for. Although there is still much progress to be made, as stated by Helen Pankhurst, Great-Granddaughter of Emmeline Pankhurst,  "The suffragettes of old would say that the vote was only ever the beginning," (BBC News) today gives us the opportunity to celebrate the progress we have made and to remind everyone that the fight is far from over. 

For more information check out the website: http://www.internationalwomensday.com 

Also see our page: http://www1.internationalwomensday.com/adamandeven#.VPx0VzSsVpO 

Written by Lili 


Picture Credit: Ellen

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women%27s_suffrage_in_the_United_Stateshttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-31786675 https://www.ined.fr/en/everything_about_population/demographic-facts-sheets/faq/more-men-or-more-women-in-the-world/http://heavy.com/social/2015/03/international-womens-day-google-doodle-march-8-2015/