Page 13 - IAV Digital Magazine #432

iAV - Antelope Valley Digital Magazine
Women’s Day Story
International Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8; however, the story of Women’s Day dates back to February 28, 1909 when the United States observed its first National Woman’s Day. An initiative of Socialist Party of America, the first national Woman’s Day was more of a political event that was a result of revolution against inequality and oppression spurring women of the United States. It was the first polit- ical activism to pro- tect the rights of women that U.S. National Woman’s Day was celebrat- ed.
Women’s Day
story did not stag- nate here. Eminent German socialist, Luise Zietz, took the journey of women liberalisa- tion a step forward, proposing the establishment of ‘International Women’s Day.’ At the general meet- ing of the Socialist International in Copenhagen in 1910, hundred women from 17 countries agreed to the proposal of pro-
moting equal rights for women globally. Following the revo- lution across the world, International Women’s Day was first observed on March 19, 1911 in Germany, Denmark, Austria and Switzerland.
The celebration across the world was a sight to behold. Over one million participants, including both men and women, joined rallies demanding women’s equal right to vote, work, hold public office, vocational training
and to stop dis- crimination at work. “The story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single femi- nist nor to any one organisation but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights” – Gloria Steinem. That is what the celebra- tion of first International Women’s Day emphasised through its rallies and protests across all parts of the world.
During early
1990’s, Women’s Day was being cel- ebrated on different dates in different countries; however, the essence of the event remained the same – equality of women and empowerment. International Women’s Day was observed in Russia on February 1914. Again on 1917, women in Russia protested against suffrage of women and unequal voting rights and called a strike for “Bread and Peace” on the last Sunday of February.
According to Gregorian calen- dar, the day fell on March 8. Prior to the event, the Czar of Russia resigned and the govern- ment granted women’s right to vote.
With every passing year, the essence of Women’s Day strengthened, with mass protests and rallies held across the world. Finally, it was on 1975 that March 8 was desig- nated as International’s Women’s Day by the United Nations.
The day is com- memorated globally by events and ral- lies that honour women’s rights to equality and advancement. Today, International Women’s Day is considered an offi- cial holiday in many countries, including Afghanistan, Cambodia, Cuba, Georgia, Armenia, Belarus, Ukraine, Uganda, Zambia, Vietnam and Russia.
From a political event to major developments in favour of women’s rights and estab- lishment, the histo- ry of Women’s
Day is a testament of power, sover- eignty and democ- racy. Today, the day is celebrated by honouring women with flowers and gifts, com- memorating their significance in life and empowerment in all fields. It is one of the most celebrated events in the history of the world and paves the way for more women empower- ment and rights to equality.
iAV - Antelope Valley Digital Magazine