INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8th across the world.
IWD is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women in the past, present and future. It is a day when women are recognised for their achievements, regardless of divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political. It is an occasion for looking back on past struggles and accomplishments, and more importantly, for looking ahead to the untapped potential and opportunities that await future generations of women.
The very first International Women’s Day was held the following year on March 19th. Meetings and protests were held across Europe with the largest street demonstration attracting 30,000 women. The day sparked great public debate, and advocates drew attention to the absolute necessity of extending the right to vote to women to make parliament more democratic. In 1913, IWD was transferred to March 8th and has been held on this day ever since.
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In 1975, during the United Nations (UN) International Year for Women,
the UN held its first official celebration of International Women’s
Day. Two years later, in December 1977, the General Assembly adopted a
resolution proclaiming a United Nations Day for Women’s Rights and
International Peace to be observed by Member States. In adopting this
resolution, the General Assembly recognised the role of women in peace
efforts and development and urged an end to discrimination and an
increase of support for women’s full and equal participation.
Since those early years, International Women’s Day has assumed a new global dimension for women in developed and developing countries alike. The growing international women’s movement, which has been strengthened by four global United Nation’s women’s conferences, has helped make the commemoration a rallying point to build support for women’s rights and participation in the political and economic arenas. Increasingly, International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities. |  |
The UN General Assembly adopted a
resolution inviting Member States to proclaim a United Nations Day for
Women’s Rights and International Peace – International Women’s Day – to
be observed on any day of the year in accordance with their historical
and national traditions. Since then, the United Nations Organisation
has observed March 8th as International Women’s Day. The purpose of
this day is to recognise the fact that securing peace and social
progress and the full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental
freedoms require the active participation, equality and development of
women; and to acknowledge the contribution of women to strengthening
international peace and security.
 | For the women of the world, the
symbolism of International Women’s Day has a wider meaning. It is an
occasion to review how far women have come in their struggle for
equality, peace and development. It is also an opportunity to unite,
network and mobilise for meaningful change. In 2011, we celebrate the
centenary of International Women’s Day. To celebrate the Centenary of
International Women’s Day, the Australian Women Against Violence
Alliance (AWAVA) has created a timeline of significant events and
achievements affecting Australian women. The timeline includes
major political, education, legal and social milestones, and despite
improvements in gender equality over the past 100 years, women still
experience violence at intolerable levels.
Using quotes from women like Louisa Lawson, the timeline aims to illustrate that the desire to eliminate violence from the lives of women and their children is still real a century later. Click Here to visit AWAVA's Australian Women's Timeline page. |
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