The day to embrace equity, today, tomorrow, always!

International Women’s Day (IWD) is an annual global celebration of women’s social, economic, cultural, and political achievements. This day is celebrated on March 8th and has been observed for over a century. It is a day to recognize and celebrate the progress that women have made, as well as to acknowledge the work that still needs to be done to achieve gender equality.

Origins of International Women’s Day

The first IWD was celebrated on February 28th, 1909, in New York City. It was organized by the Socialist Party of America to honor the 1908 garment workers’ strike in which women protested against poor working conditions and low wages. In 1910, the International Socialist Women’s Conference met in Copenhagen and established International Women’s Day to honor the struggle for women’s rights and to build support for suffrage.

The Importance of International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day is important because it reminds us of the progress that women have made in the fight for equality. It is also a day to recognize the work that still needs to be done. Women continue to face discrimination and inequality in many areas of life, including the workplace, politics, and healthcare.

The importance of IWD lies in highlighting the social, economic, cultural and political contributions throughout history. Women have made significant contributions to society, and their achievements have often been overlooked or downplayed. International Women’s Day is an opportunity to acknowledge these contributions and celebrates women’s successes.

International Women’s Day is also a day to raise awareness of the challenges and issues that women face. Women continue to be underrepresented in leadership positions, and they are disproportionately affected by poverty, violence, and discrimination. By raising awareness of these issues, we can work towards finding solutions and creating a more just and equitable world for women.

Reasons Why We Celebrate International Women’s Day

1. To celebrate women’s achievements: International Women’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. It is a day to recognize the contributions that women have made to society and to honor the women who have fought for women’s rights.
2. To raise awareness of women’s issues: International Women’s Day is also a day to raise awareness of the issues that women face. Women continue to face discrimination and inequality in many areas of life, and International Women’s Day is an opportunity to bring attention to these issues and advocate for change.
3. To inspire future generations: International Women’s Day is a day to inspire future generations of women. By recognizing the achievements of women and advocating for change, we can inspire young girls and women to pursue their dreams and fight for their rights.
4. To promote gender equality: International Women’s Day is ultimately about promoting gender equality. It is a day to acknowledge the progress that has been made and to advocate for change to ensure that women have equal rights and opportunities in all areas of life.

5 Influential and Historical Women from Around the World

Women have played a crucial role in shaping history, but their contributions have often been overlooked or forgotten. 

1. Cleopatra

Cleopatra was the last pharaoh of ancient Egypt and is known for her intelligence, political savvy, and beauty. She was fluent in several languages and was a skilled diplomat who was able to negotiate with some of the most powerful rulers of her time. Cleopatra was a patron of the arts and sciences and is credited with introducing new technologies and innovations to Egypt. Despite her many accomplishments, Cleopatra is often remembered for her romantic relationships with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony.

2. Malala Yousafzai

Malala Yousafzai is a Pakistani activist for female education and the youngest Nobel Prize laureate. She gained prominence for her advocacy for girls’ education in her hometown of Swat Valley, Pakistan, where the Taliban had banned girls from attending school. In 2012, Malala was shot in the head by a Taliban gunman but survived and continued to advocate for girls’ education. She has since become a global advocate for girls’ education and has founded the Malala Fund to support girls’ education initiatives around the world.

3. Frida Kahlo

Frida Kahlo was a Mexican painter who is known for her vibrant and colorful self-portraits. She was a feminist and political activist who used her art to explore themes of identity, gender, and class. Kahlo’s work challenged traditional notions of beauty and femininity and celebrated the beauty of imperfection. She was also an advocate for indigenous rights and the rights of workers and peasants in Mexico.

4. Wangari Maathai

Wangari Maathai was a Kenyan environmental and political activist and the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. She founded the Green Belt Movement, which focused on planting trees to combat deforestation and soil erosion while also empowering women. Maathai was a vocal critic of the Kenyan government and was arrested several times for her activism. She was also a member of parliament and served as assistant minister for the environment and natural resources in Kenya’s government.

5. Marie Curie

Marie Curie was a Polish-born physicist and chemist who is known for her pioneering work on radioactivity. She was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, the first person to win two Nobel Prizes in different fields (physics and chemistry), and the first female professor at the University of Paris. Curie’s work laid the foundation for modern physics and chemistry and played a crucial role in the development of nuclear energy.

Conclusion

International Women’s Day is an important day to celebrate the achievements of women and to raise awareness of the issues that women continue to face. It is also an opportunity to inspire future generations of women and to promote gender equality. By working together, we can continue to make progress and create a more just and equal world for all women.

Let us celebrate Women’s Day with great enthusiasm and continue to work towards creating a more equitable and just world for women everywhere.