8th March is celebrated as International Women’s Day to cherish and salute the women’s achievements and importance. Find out the relevance of 8th March and celebration of Women’s Day. International Women’s Day is celebrated globally on the 8th of March every year to reaffirm the commitment towards the recognition of women’s rights. It is a way of celebrating the achievements of women in the fields of social, economic and political arenas of women in the past and present. Innumerable events are planned and organised throughout the world that mark this occasion not only on the 8th but the whole of March. According to many social experts, although it is related to the women’s liberation movement but in the current context, this is an occasion that is accepted as an opportunity to address problems, issues and find resolutions through the exchange of opinions and discussions related to the emancipation of women. There are various themes that are decided upon each year, and in many countries like Bulgaria, China, Russia and Vietnam, 8th March is observed as a national holiday. In this articleThe Foundation of International Women’s DayThe Relevance of 8th MarchHow Is Women’s Day Celebrated?Controversies The Foundation of International Women’s Day It was on 28th February, 1909, that the first Women’s Day was celebrated in the United States. Then in the month of august, 1910, the first international women’s conference was organised. The objective of this first conference was the promotion of gender equality in all sectors of life. Soon within a year, several other countries like Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland began to celebrate Women’s Day on 18th March in 1911. Celebrations and events marking this day began to take place sporadically in different parts of the world until in 1977 the United Nations General Assembly declared the 8th of March as the International Women’s Day. It has been since then an observation of women’s rights and emancipation. The Relevance of 8th March If we look around across societies, we find that there is scope for vast improvement in the living conditions of women in their social and professional lives across the world. There are gender issues that need to be addressed so that women can contribute with more effectiveness and comfort towards the betterment of their own lives and that of the society at large. The bottlenecks that prevent the rise of women in certain areas needs to be removed and it is a gradual process that can be achieved through sensitisation and acceptance or acknowledgement of the female potential towards development. International Women’s Day is such an occasion that provides this opportunity to bring up such issues to the forefront and strive towards resolution towards development through open forum discussions. How Is Women’s Day Celebrated? As mentioned, 8th March is celebrated with the organisation of several events that address women’s issues and recognising their achievements in various spheres. People often present flowers, chocolates or other gifts to the women in the workplace and in the family to mark the occasion. Controversies There have been countless controversies revolving around excessive or ‘disturbing’ mode of celebration of women’s day in various parts. For instance one can remember the practice of an acclaimed library in London where male staffs and other men are not allowed to enter the library on 8th March. This is regarded by many as a violation of human rights. Finally, it can be said that it is not the celebration that is important on Women’s Day. It is rather the attitude of the entire society and not just men, but even women themselves on how to view the structure and status of the society given to men and women are equal components building it. One simply requires an opportunity to contribute and be acknowledged for the effort. Ours is a patriarchal society by far, and thus the need to highlight gender issues and the necessity to resolve them.
8th March is celebrated as International Women’s Day to cherish and salute the women’s achievements and importance. Find out the relevance of 8th March and celebration of Women’s Day. International Women’s Day is celebrated globally on the 8th of March every year to reaffirm the commitment towards the recognition of women’s rights. It is a way of celebrating the achievements of women in the fields of social, economic and political arenas of women in the past and present. Innumerable events are planned and organised throughout the world that mark this occasion not only on the 8th but the whole of March.
According to many social experts, although it is related to the women’s liberation movement but in the current context, this is an occasion that is accepted as an opportunity to address problems, issues and find resolutions through the exchange of opinions and discussions related to the emancipation of women. There are various themes that are decided upon each year, and in many countries like Bulgaria, China, Russia and Vietnam, 8th March is observed as a national holiday.
The Foundation of International Women’s Day
It was on 28th February, 1909, that the first Women’s Day was celebrated in the United States. Then in the month of august, 1910, the first international women’s conference was organised. The objective of this first conference was the promotion of gender equality in all sectors of life. Soon within a year, several other countries like Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland began to celebrate Women’s Day on 18th March in 1911. Celebrations and events marking this day began to take place sporadically in different parts of the world until in 1977 the United Nations General Assembly declared the 8th of March as the International Women’s Day. It has been since then an observation of women’s rights and emancipation.
The Relevance of 8th March
If we look around across societies, we find that there is scope for vast improvement in the living conditions of women in their social and professional lives across the world. There are gender issues that need to be addressed so that women can contribute with more effectiveness and comfort towards the betterment of their own lives and that of the society at large. The bottlenecks that prevent the rise of women in certain areas needs to be removed and it is a gradual process that can be achieved through sensitisation and acceptance or acknowledgement of the female potential towards development. International Women’s Day is such an occasion that provides this opportunity to bring up such issues to the forefront and strive towards resolution towards development through open forum discussions.
How Is Women’s Day Celebrated?
As mentioned, 8th March is celebrated with the organisation of several events that address women’s issues and recognising their achievements in various spheres. People often present flowers, chocolates or other gifts to the women in the workplace and in the family to mark the occasion.
Controversies
There have been countless controversies revolving around excessive or ‘disturbing’ mode of celebration of women’s day in various parts. For instance one can remember the practice of an acclaimed library in London where male staffs and other men are not allowed to enter the library on 8th March. This is regarded by many as a violation of human rights.
Finally, it can be said that it is not the celebration that is important on Women’s Day. It is rather the attitude of the entire society and not just men, but even women themselves on how to view the structure and status of the society given to men and women are equal components building it. One simply requires an opportunity to contribute and be acknowledged for the effort. Ours is a patriarchal society by far, and thus the need to highlight gender issues and the necessity to resolve them.
