International Women's Day is celebrated throughout the world on March 8 every year. It
provides an opportunity to focus upon and remember the struggle of women throughout the
world. Its origin can be traced to 8th March, 1857 when women garment workers in New York
demonstrated against working conditions.
In 1910, at a Women’s Conference in Copenhagen, Clara Zetkin proposed the
establishment of a global International Women’s Day. She called upon women everywhere
to link their fight for equal rights with a fight to preserve international peace and in
1911 millions of women celebrated the first International Women’s Day.
Since then the significance of the event has grown and now it has a truly global
character. In 1977 the United Nations General Assembly passed Resolution No. 322/142
inviting each country to proclaim a United Nations Day for Women’s Rights and
International Peace. In many countries March 8 has become an occasion to review the
progress women have made in their struggle for peace, equal rights and social progress and
an opportunity to raise funds for disadvantaged women everywhere.
TIME TO FOCUS
Women are half the world's people
who do two-thirds of the world's work.
They earn one tenth of the world's income
and own one hundredth of the world's property.
Source: United Nations.
Millions of women are still battling against poverty, discrimination and unequal
access to education, training, credit and technical assistance. If given the opportunity
women everywhere will work like champions to develop better lives for their families and
communities.
WomenAid was established in 1988 to provide emergency relief for women and their
families and to assist in their battle against grinding poverty. We need your help.
MORE
HISTORY
|