The International Women’s Day (IWD) is a public holiday in a lot of countries that promote the achievements of women.
In the modern era, achieving gender equality and women’s well-being in all aspects of life is far more crucial than ever if we would be interested in creating a prosperous economy and a healthier planet. However, we will face a key challenge: the alarming $360 billion annual deficit in gender equality measures by around 2030.
On March 8, 2024, for International Women’s Day right under the theme ‘Invest in women: Accelerate progress”, and then take a stand with us via the hashtag #InvestinWomen. Below are five key areas that require joint action:
Investing in Women: A Human Rights Issue
Time is running out fast. Currently, Gender equality remains the biggest human rights challenge at the moment. Investing in women is a human imperative and a major cornerstone for building inclusive societies. The Progress for women benefits all of us.
Ending Poverty
The COVID pandemic, geopolitical conflicts, climate disasters, and economic turmoil have pushed an extra 75 million people right into severe poverty, since the year 2020. This could lead to more than 342 million women and girls living below the poverty line by the end of 2030, meaning, taking immediate action is very necessary.
Implementing Gender-Responsive Financing
Due to the rising fuel conflicts and food prices, recent estimates suggest that around 75 percent of countries would curb public spending by around 2025. Austerity negatively impacts women and crowds out public spending on essential public services and social protection.
Shifting to a green economy and care society
At the moment, the economic system exacerbates poverty inequality, and environmental degradation, disproportionately affecting women and marginalized groups. Alternative economic models propose a shift towards a green economy and care society that would further amplify women’s voices.
Supporting the Feminist Change-makers
Feminist organizations are a major leading effort to tackle women’s poverty and inequality. However, they would be running on an empty, receiving a meager 0,13 percent of total official development assistance.
History of International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day is a global Holiday that is celebrated on March 8 as a focal point in the Women’s rights movement. IWD places its focus on issues which include gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women. Spurred on by the universal female suffrage movement, IWD originated from labor movements in North America and Europe during the early 20th century.
The earliest version that was reported was a “Women’s Day” that was organized by the socialist party of America in New York City on February 28, 1909. This further inspired German delegates at the 1910 international socialist women’s conference to propose “a special women’s day” that would be organized annually, albeit with no set date, the following year saw the very first demonstrations and commemorations of the international women’s day across Europe.
After Women gained suffrage during the Russian provisional Government in 1917, IWD was made a national holiday on March 8, and it was subsequently celebrated on that date by the socialist movement and communist countries. The Holiday was usually associated with the far-left movements and governments till it was adopted by the global feminist movement in the late 1960s. The holiday became a mainstream global holiday following its adoption by the United Nations in the year 1977.
FAQ
What is the theme for the 2023 International Women’s Day?
The theme for International Women’s Day 2023 is, ‘DigitALL: Innovation and technology for Gender Equality’.
Why is International Women’s Day on March 8?
Also on March 8, 1908, women workers in the needle trades marched through New York City’s Lower East Side to protest child labor, sweatshop working conditions, and demand for women’s suffrage. Beginning in 1910, March 8 became annually observed as International Women’s Day.
What do you say on Women’s Day?
“Happy Women’s Day! Today, let’s celebrate the strength, resilience, and achievements of women around the world. Your contributions are invaluable, and your voices matter.”
Who created International Women’s Day?
A Woman who goes by the name Clara Zetkin (Leader of the ‘Women’s Office’ for the Social Democratic Party in Germany) tabled the idea of an International Women’s Day.
