Context:
International Women’s Day (IWD), celebrated annually on March 8, to acknowledge the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.
International Womens’s Day 2024
- The event will bring together the United Nations system, Member States, civil society organisations, youth groups and others to emphasize the critical actions required to bridge gender gaps.
- The United Nations has designated theme for International Women’s Day 2024 is Investing in women: Accelerate progress.
Background
- The first National Women’s Day was observed in the United States on February 28, 1909, which was organized by the Socialist Party of America to commemorate the 1908 garment workers’ strike in New York.
- In 1910, Clara Zetkin proposed International Women’s Day at the International Women’s Conference in Copenhagen which arose from the labour movements in North America and Europe.
- As a result of the decision taken at Copenhagen the previous year, International Women’s Day was marked for the first time (19 March) in several European countries.
- The United Nations began celebrating the day in 1975, and two years later, in 1977, the UN General Assembly invited member states to proclaim March 8 as the UN Day for Women’s Rights and World Peace.
| Colour of International Women Day | Significance |
| Purple | Justie and Dignity |
| Green | Hope |
| White | Purity |
Objective of International Womens’s Day
- Raise awareness about women’s rights and gender equality.
- Inspire individuals, communities, and nations toward gender equality and women’s right.
- Call for positive change advancing women
- Fundraise for women focused charities.
Why March 8?
- Russian women protested the possibility of a World War (1914 to 1918) on February 23, 1913, as per the Julian calendar that was then in use in Russia. According to the Gregorian calendar that date translated as March 8 and set a global benchmark and rallies began to be held on the day in many countries.
Significance
- It serves as a platform to promote gender equality by advocating for equal participation in social, economic, cultural, and political spheres, ensuring that all members of society have equal rights.
- IWD nurtures a sense of global solidarity among women and girls, transcending their diverse cultural and background differences..
- International Women’s Day (IWD) serves as both a mirror reflecting our progress and a declaration of commitment to the ongoing voyage toward women’s empowerment and gender equality.
International Women’s Day (IWD) is not only a celebration of the remarkable contributions and sacrifices made by women but also a poignant reminder of the persistent battle for gender equality. On this day, we pause to contemplate the strides we’ve taken toward women’s empowerment, while also reaffirming our dedication to tackling the challenges that women continue to encounter worldwide.