In 1910, a woman called Clara Zetkin – leader of the ‘women’s office’ for the Social Democratic Party in Germany – tabled the idea of an International Women’s Day. She suggested that every country should celebrate women on one day every year to push for their demands.
International Woman’s Day 2020: How the day began and why the fight for women’s rights is still necessary
March 4, 2020
International Women’s Day is a worldwide event that celebrates women’s achievements – from the political to the social – while calling for gender equality.
It has been observed since the early 1900s and is now recognised each year on March 8 (this Sunday). It is not affiliated with any one group, but brings together governments, women’s organisations, corporations and charities. The day is marked around the world with arts performances, talks, rallies, networking events, conferences and marches.
But how did the celebratory day begin – and what are women uniting against this year? Here is everything you need to know.
How did it start?
It’s difficult to say exactly when IWD (as it’s known) began. Its roots can be traced to 1908, when 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding voting rights, better pay and shorter working hours.
A year later, the first National Woman’s Day was observed in the US on February 28, in accordance with a declaration by the Socialist Party of America.
A conference of more than 100 women from 17 countries agreed to her suggestion and IWD was formed. In 1911, it was celebrated for the first time in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland on March 19.
In 1913, it was decided to transfer IWD to March 8, and it has been celebrated on that day ever since. The day was only recognised by the United Nations in 1975, but ever since it has created a theme each year for the celebration.
In 2011, former US President Barack Obama proclaimed March to be ‘Women’s History Month’.
Why do we still celebrate it?
Simply, because the original aim – to achieve full gender equality for women the world – has still not been realised. A gender pay gap persists across the globe and women are still not present in equal numbers in business or politics. Figures show that globally, women’s education, health and violence towards women is still worse than that of men.
According to the World Economic Forum, the gender gap won’t close until 2186. On IWD, women across the world come together to force the world to recognise these inequalities – while also celebrating the achievements of women who have overcome these barriers.
According to a 2017 report by the World Economic Forum, it could still take another 100 years before the global equality gap between men and women disappears entirely.
In 2019, women effectively worked “for free” from November 14 until the end of the year because of the gender pay gap. Women are also paid less than half than men at some of Britain’s major companies, according to recent gender pay gap figures.
For the past couple of years, women’s rights have dominated the news, following a global reckoning on sexual misconduct rippling through industries. Following the outpouring of allegations against Harvey Weinstein and other prominent men in power (and Weinstein’s watershed trial), the #MeToo movement gave a voice to women on the abuse and harassment they suffer in film, fashion, music, politics and art.
There was a vocal, headline-grabbing fight for women’s rights in 2018, with female actresses donating money and wearing black at awards ceremonies in support of #TimesUp and BBC journalist Carrie Gracie publicly resigning as China editor over unequal pay.
Last year year, the pursuit continued, with members of the Democratic party in the US wearing white at Donald Trump’s State of the Nation address. Plus, many donned red robes to imitate the dress of The Handmaid’s Tale, to protest the state of Alabama bringing in the strictest abortion laws in the US.
With gender parity still an apparent 167 years away, many are hoping the trajectory surrounding women’s rights climbs as the year continues.
What is this year’s theme?
The theme for IWD 2020 is #EachforEqual, recognising all of the actions we can take as individuals to challenge stereotypes, fight prejudice and celebrate women’s achievements.
The year 2020 is an important one for gender equality. It is the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the most advanced blueprint for achieving gender equality in the world. It also marks 10 years since the establishment of UN Women, and the 20th anniversary of the UN Security Council resolution 1325 on women, peace and security.
Last year, the theme was #BalanceForBetter, which aimed to encourage gender balance in boardrooms, in the media and in wealth as a way for economies to thrive. It echoed the aims of the Telegraph’s Women Mean Business campaign – which launched on IWD 2018 to help close the funding gap for female entrepreneurs in Britain.
As a result of our campaign, banks will now be compelled to publish regular updates on how much they invest in businesses run by women as part of a series of new measures to help female entrepreneurs. Read more about the Telegraph’s victory here, or watch the video below in which our Women’s Editor and Associate Features Editor Claire Cohen explains all about the campaign and why we started it.
Is there an International Men’s Day?
Yes! It takes place on November 19 each year and is celebrated in 60 countries around the world. The objectives of the day include a focus on men’s and boy’s health, improving gender relations, promoting gender equality, and highlighting positive male role models.
It is an occasion for men to celebrate their achievements and contributions, in particular their contributions to community, family, marriage, and child care while highlighting the discrimination against them.
The month of November is also a chance for men to take part in the popular ‘Movember’ charity event, by growing facial hair for charity sponsorship.
How can you get involved?
There are many ways you can take part in IWD.
1. Make a pledge for parity
This involves going to the IWD website and pledging to help women and girls achieve their ambitions; call for gender-balanced leadership and create flexible cultures.
2. Join one of the many events happening around the world
The IWD website shows where events are happening in countries and towns – check out what’s happening near you to see how you can participate. Plus, there will be an organised #March4Women march in London on Sunday, March 8.
3. Host your own event
It’s still not too late. IWD encourages people to host a prominent speaker and create an event of their own.
What’s happening in the UK?
There are a host of free and ticketed events taking place across the country, including talks, workshops and film screenings. Head to Brecon for a fortnight-long Women’s Festival; Bath for a walk through the historic town; Glasgow for a day making campfires and collecting herbs in the great outdoors; Brighton for a lunch led by entrepreneur and fashion designer Elif Köse; and Manchester for an evening of music, celebrating female talent.
For a full list of events in your local area, check out the official International Women’s Day website. Tickets for the Southbank Centre’s Women of the World Festival, taking place 6-8 March, are also on general sale. Take your pick of the best talks, exhibitions and concerts celebrating women worldwide.
How is IWD celebrated across the world?
Countries celebrate it in different ways. It is an official holiday in a number of places including: Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, China (for women only), Cuba, Georgia, Guinea-Bissau, Eritrea, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Madagascar (for women only), Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Nepal (for women only), Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Zambia.
Other countries celebrate it in a similar way to Mother’s Day with men presenting their wives, girlfriends, mothers and female friends with flowers and gifts.
Source: Telegraph
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