International Women’s Day is a global holiday celebrated on the 8th of March annually. It celebrates women’s rights, bringing to notice issues such as gender equality, violence, and abuse against women.In a time where gender discrimination is on the rise in societies and women are at the focal point of it.
First, the idea of International Women’s Day came to be on February 28, 1909. Then, it was called National Women’s Day. It started when 15,000 women marched through New York City, demanding shorter hours, better pay, and voting rights. Around the same time, Clara Zetkin, who led the Women’s office for the Socio Democratic Party in Germany, tabled the idea for an International Women’s Day. Then, on March 8, 1911, International Women’s Day was celebrated for the first time.
It has been celebrated as a global holiday since the UN adopted it in 1977. International Women’s Day is celebrated to fight gender biases. Furthermore, it creates awareness and seeks change in the society.
There have been life-changing events on IWD around the world.In 2010, the International Committee of the Red Cross drew attention to the hardships displaced women faced.Next, in 2011, it was the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day. In the United States, President Barack Obama declared March Women’s History Month.Furthermore, the Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton, launched the “100 Women Initiative: Empowering Women and Girls through International Exchange.” Australia issued a 20-cent coin in celebration of the 100th IWD.
International Women’s Day 2023
This year’s Women’s Day is tagged “DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality.” This theme was coined by the United Nations. This year’s celebration emphasizes the need for gender equality in technology.In the world today, 37% of women do not use the internet. 259 million fewer women do not have access to the internet.Besides, if women cannot access the internet or learn a skill, they cannot fit into the fast-growing digital world. This dwindles the opportunities for women to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)-related fields.
Introducing more women to technology will produce more results. Women should not be excluded from the world of innovation. The United Nations recognizes that this gender gap should be bridged. Moreover, women and girls will champion the transformation of creative solutions and digital education.