eYs YOUTH
WHY DO WE CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY ON THE 8TH MARCH EVERY YEAR? Written by Kristina Apostoloska
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nternational Woman’s Day, IWD is celebrated on the 8th of March every year around the world. It is celebrated around the world in honor of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women, and a day of action. One thing is certain: IWD has been celebrated for more than a century and its significance is growing. A day of collective celebration and a call for gender equality. It started as a radical socialist movement for women’s rights. The day was then predominantly celebrated by the socialist movement and communist countries until it was adopted by the feminist movement. In March 1911, one million women stood up for their rights and protested in Europe. Two years later in 1913, Russian women organised illegal meetings, and women were given the right to vote. In 1915, in Oslo, a group of women defended their rights and fought for peace, and in 1917, in Sant Peterborough, women workers went on strike in their factories. Finally, The United Nations proclamed and recognised the movement celebrating the day in 1977. German socialist leader Clara Zetkin played a major role in creating this proclomation day. She recommended that International Women’s Day should be celebrated in every country on the same day with the same meaning - respect for women’s rights and equality. Some of the most prominent women (advocates and activists for women’s rights) in this ‘fight’ were Clara Zetkin, Paula Thiede and Kate Dunker. Later, Zetkin formed a friendship with the younger Rosa Luxemburg. They were fighting for women rights and to raise awareness about women’s equality. International Women’s Day is celebrated each year globally for the outstanding contribution of women to our society. This day is an opportunity to celebrate the inspiring role of women in the fight for their rights and building an equal society. Women’s day is also a reminder that the voices of many women around the world are still unheard of and that there is still a “glass” barrier to reaching their full potential. Women have the power to create, nurture and transform. The word ‘WOMAN’ is an association of selfless love, care and tenderness, but at the same time strength, endurance and fighting spirit. For decades, women have fought and still fight to express their rights to speech, to vote, to equality, to education, to career and, most importantly, to freedom.
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“Women should be active not only in leadership positions, but in every profession. We must ensure that social professions are valued. And we must do more against domestic violence, especially against women.” - said Franciska Giffay (German Family Minister). Identifying, celebrating and increasing visibility of women’s achievements can help forge equality. This day is important because it allows us to see the differences and inequalities that women must face in politics, in companies or in everyday life. But we must also not forget the mistreatment of women in many countries, forced marriage and domestic violence. This day allows everyone to be reminded that a WOMAN HAS RIGHTS, that we should respect her “no” and that we have no right to judge her by her appearance. Nowadays, March 8th is seen as a day that serves as an opportunity to pay tribute and attention to women who are a special part of our society. Finally, this day is important to hear every voice of women who cannot speak freely. And only equal world is an enabled world!
