International Women's Day

Global Day of Celebration

Since its birth in the socialist movement, International Women's Day has grown to become a global day of recognition and celebration across developed and developing countries alike. For decades, IWD has grown from strength to strength annually. For many years the United Nations has held an annual IWD conference to coordinate international efforts for women's rights and participation in social, political and economic processes. 1975 was designated as 'International Women’s Year' by the United Nations. Women's organisations and governments around the world have also observed IWD annually on 8 March by holding large-scale events that honour women's advancement and while diligently reminding of the continued vigilance and action required to ensure that women's equality is gained and maintained in all aspects of life.

Official Holiday

IWD is now an official holiday in Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. The tradition sees men honouring their mothers, wives, girlfriends, colleagues, etc with flowers and small gifts. In some countries IWD has the equivalent status of Mother's Day where children give small presents to their mothers and grandmothers.

Relevance Today

Nowhere in the world can women claim to have the same rights and opportunities as men. Internationally, more women are becoming poorer and, following the rise of religious fundamentalism, ever more oppressed.  With globalisation have come huge increases in female trafficking and prostitution.

Women continue to be:

• POOR: the majority of the world's 1.3 billion absolute poor are women
• ILLITERATE: three-quarters of the worlds 960 million illiterates are women
• EARN LESS: average, women receive between 30 and 40 per cent less pay than men earn for the same work
• SUFFER VIOLENCE: rape and domestic violence listed as significant causes of disability and death among women of reproductive age world-wide

Think Globally and Act Locally

Addressing the problems faced by women is at the heart of a global agenda promoted by the United Nations. By adopting international laws and treaties, the United Nations has established a common standard for societies to achieve equality between men and women. Through policy formulation and institutional development, and by encouraging political commitment, the Organisation has helped promote new values, new attitudes, and new priorities at the national and international levels.

Over 150 countries have so far ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, (CEDAW) legally committing themselves to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women.

In the global effort for peace and enduring progress, the promotion and protection of women's rights are central. International Women's Day is a day for international solidarity among women and for global awareness.  It is a day to celebrate the gains women have made and to focus on the changes that are still needed.

So make a difference, think globally and act locally !! Make everyday International Women's Day. Do your bit to ensure that the future for girls is bright, equal, safe and rewarding.

Information from www.auroravoice.com and www.womenaid.org

Web sites that may be of interest :

www.internationalwomensday.com - International Women's Day website - owned and maintained by marketing company Aurora

www.auroravoice.com - FREE global register of IWD event listings used by women, the media, governments, charities and industry

http://www.womenaid.org - Founded over ten years ago as a humanitarian aid and development agency, WomenAid's mission is to provide relief and assistance to women and children suffering distress caused by war, disasters or poverty, to 
empower women through education, training, provision of credit and to campaign against violations of women's human rights.