International Women’s Day

International Women's Day (IWD) is a day celebrated annually on March 8th, dedicated to celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day is also a call to action for accelerating gender equality.

This year's theme for IWD is #ChooseToChallenge, a call to action for individuals to challenge gender bias and inequality wherever it exists. The theme highlights the need for collective action to create a more inclusive and gender-equal world.

The history of International Women's Day dates back to 1908 when 15,000 women marched through New York City, demanding better pay, shorter working hours, and the right to vote. The first National Woman's Day was observed in the United States on February 28th, 1909. In 1910, an International Women's Conference was held in Copenhagen, Denmark, where it was proposed that a Women's Day be celebrated annually. The idea was met with unanimous approval, and the first International Women's Day was celebrated on March 19th, 1911, in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland.

Since then, IWD has grown to become a global celebration of women's achievements, and a call to action for gender equality. It is a day to celebrate the progress that has been made towards gender equality, but also a day to acknowledge the challenges that remain.

One of the biggest challenges that women face is the gender pay gap. Despite progress in recent years, women continue to earn less than men for the same work. According to a report by the World Economic Forum, it will take over 200 years to close the gender pay gap at the current rate of progress.

Women also continue to face barriers in the workplace, including discrimination, harassment, and the lack of opportunities for advancement. It is essential that businesses and organizations take action to create a more inclusive and equitable workplace, where women have equal opportunities for advancement and are treated with respect and dignity.

Education is also critical for gender equality. Girls and women around the world continue to face barriers to education, including poverty, early marriage, and cultural beliefs that prioritize boys' education over girls. Education is essential for empowering women and girls, increasing their economic opportunities, and improving their health outcomes.

Another critical area for gender equality is political representation. Despite progress in recent years, women continue to be underrepresented in political leadership positions. According to a report by the Inter-Parliamentary Union, women make up only 25% of the world's parliamentarians. It is essential that women have an equal voice in decision-making processes that impact their lives.

International Women's Day is a day to celebrate the progress that has been made towards gender equality, but it is also a day to acknowledge the challenges that remain. It is a day to call for action and to commit to creating a more inclusive and equitable world.

There are many ways to get involved in International Women's Day. One way is to attend events and activities in your community that celebrate women's achievements and call for gender equality. Many organizations and community groups host events on IWD, including panel discussions, marches, and workshops.

Another way to get involved is to support organizations that work towards gender equality. There are many organizations around the world that are working to promote women's rights and gender equality, including UN Women, Women's World Banking, and ETC.