National Women?s Month

THE observance of Int ernat ional Wom en?s Day (IWD) w as a result of t he organising act ivit ies of w om en in t he early 20t h Cent ury

Between 1909 and 1911, working women in the United States of America participated in organizing strike activities of the National Women?s Trade Union League and other concerned groups They were protesting against low wages lack of protective legislation and the very poor working conditions to which women workers were subjected during that time

The demonstrations were an offshoot of the tragic March 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in New York City which took the lives of more than 140 working girls, mostly Italian and Jewish immigrants Subsequently, the inhumane working conditions and other unfair labour practices leading up to the disaster were invoked during observances of IWD

In Europe, Clara Zetkin and the Socialist Women?s International demanded that March 8th be International Women?s Day, celebrated each year to recognise working women around the world The celebration of IWD has since stimulated major historical events For instance, IWD was the inspiration for the general strike, which began the Russian Revolution in St Petersburg in 1917 when 10, 000 women textile workers demonstrated

It is due to such a history of women organising around the world that IWD was officially recognized by the United Nations to celebrate women?s contributions to all societies

In the Philippines the Women?s Month Celebration has since served as a venue to highlight women?s achievements and discuss continuing and emerging women?s empowerment and gender equality issues and concerns, challenges, and commitments

The celebration focuses on concrete activities that are aligned with national and international instruments and treaties such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, the Beijing Platform for Action, the Philippine Plan for Gender-Responsive Development (1995-2025), the Framework Plan for Women, and the Sustainable Development Goals 2023-2028 Them e

The 2023 National Women?s Month Celebration marks a juncture in the advancement of women?s rights as it launches a new recurring theme from this year to 2028: WEfor gender equality and inclusive society It sparks a renewed commitment to the advocacy and banks on the gains achieved during the 2016-2022 theme, WEMake CHANGEWork for Women, which emphasized the need for compassionate and harmonized networks towards gender equality and women?s empowerment (GEWE)

The recurring theme also aligns with the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, which aims for ?deep economic and social transformation to reinvigorate job creation and accelerate poverty reduction by steering the economy back on a high-growth path ?

The plan also highlights that growth must be inclusive, building an environment that provides equal opportunities to all Filipinos and equipping them with skills to participate fully in an innovative and globally competitive economy We begin this new era of the National Women?s Month Celebration with the hope and ambition that WEare all for Gender Equality, WEare all for an inclusive society

Source: ht t ps:/ / pcw gov ph/ nat ional-w om ens-m ont h/