March 8 - The International Women's Day

ReadabouttheimportanceofInternationalWomen’sDayandfindtipsforcelebratingWomen’sDaytoacknowledgedthecontributionofwomentothesocietyandapplaudherachievements.Thecalendarisoverflowingwithsomanyoccasions;thereisaspecialdayforalmosteachandeverything.TheInternationalWomen’sDayisnotlessimportantthananyotherday.ItiscelebratedgloballyeveryyearonMarch8tocelebratewomen’sachievementsthroughouthistoryandacrossnationsregardlessofdivisions,whethernational,ethnic,linguistic,cultural,economicorpolitical.ItisalsocalledastheUnitedNationsDayforWomen’sRightsandInternationalPeace.InthisarticleHowItMarkedItsImportanceinHistory?WhyIsItSoImportanttoCelebrateInternationalWomen’sDay?HowCanWeCelebrateThisSpecialDay?WomenImprovementinLightHowItMarkedItsImportanceinHistory?InternationalWomen’sDayfirstcameintoappearanceatthebeginningofthe20thcenturyinNorthAmericaandEurope,atimeofgreatexpansionandturbulenceintheindustrialisedworldthatwitnessedtheriseofwomenpower:In1908,thousandsofwomenmarchedthroughNewYorkCitydemandingshorterworkinghours,betterpay,andvotingrights.In1909,theNationalWoman’sDaywascelebratedacrosstheUnitedStatesonFebruary28designatedbySocialistPartyofAmerica,anduntil1913,itwascelebratedonthelastSundayofFebruary.In1910,inthesecondInternationalConferenceofWorkingWomenheldinCopenhagen,itproposedtocelebrateWomen’sDayonaninternationallevel.In1913,InternationalWomensDaywasshiftedtoMarch8acrossEuropeandhadbeenthesameeversince.In1917,thelastSundayinFebruaryfellonMarch8aspertheGregorian’scalendarwhentheRussianwomenprotestedfor“Breadandpeace”.In1975,theUnitedNationscelebratedInternationalWomen’sYearandstartedcelebratingIWDonMarch8sincethen.Inthe21stcentury,InternationalWomensDayhasassumedaglobaldimensionandisdeclaredanofficialholidayinmanycountries.WhyIsItSoImportanttoCelebrateInternationalWomen’sDay?Manypeopleareinthemisconceptionthatwomensequalitybenefitsonlywomen,butinreality,everyonepercentilegrowthinfemaleeducationresultsina0.3%growthintheeconomyWomentakebetterdecisionsintheirfamiliesandtakecareoftheirfamily’shealthcareandnutrition,thuscontributingtotheeconomicandsocialdevelopmentofsocieties.Researchsaysthatwhenamothercontrolshouseholdbudget,achild’ssurvivalchanceincreasesby20%.Companieswithmorewomenleadersperformbetter.Peaceagreementsthatinvolvewomenaremoredurable.HowCanWeCelebrateThisSpecialDay?TherearefewinterestingwaystoaddtotheflavorofthecelebrationofInternationalWomen’sDay:ThankWomen:Thinkaboutthewomenyoucareorwhohavecaredforyouandsaythankstothem;tellthemhowimportanttheyaretoyou.GiftWomen:Getsomethingspecialbeitbigorsmallforthewomenyoufindimportantinyourlife;makethemhappy,theydeserveit.SpreadItSocially:Usesocialnetworkandwritesomethingonwomen,writesomeblog,orsharesomestoriesorexperiencesorpicturesonwomenempowermentandequalityandhowitbenefitsthesociety.DoCharity:Joinabreastcancerawarenessgroupordonatemoneythatsupportswomen.GoPurple:Wearapurpleribbonordressinpurplecolorasitindicatesraisingawarenessofviolenceagainstwomen.WomenImprovementinLightItisproventhatequalityforwomenmeansprogressforall.Butsadly,despiteofsomegreatimprovements,therearestillsomeunder-developedcountrieswherewomenarefacingproblemsforequality,andeveninsomedevelopingordevelopedcountries,womenarefallingvictimsforrapeandmurder;theonlythingthatcanbringchangeisthechangeinthemindofthesociety!CelebrateInternationalWomen’sDaytoreflectsuchprogresstobemade,tocallforachange,andtohonorthecourageanddeterminationofwomenwhohaveplayedanextraordinaryroleinthehistoryoftheircountriesandcommunities.WhatisthehistorybehindcelebrationofInternationalWomen’sDay?HowisWomen’sDaycelebratedacrosstheglobe?HowtomakeWomeninourlivesfeelspecialontheoccasionofWomen’sDay?Discusshere.

Read about the importance of International Women’s Day and find tips for celebrating Women’s Day to acknowledged the contribution of women to the society and applaud her achievements.

The calendar is overflowing with so many occasions; there is a special day for almost each and every thing. The International Women’s Day is not less important than any other day. It is celebrated globally every year on March 8 to celebrate women’s achievements throughout history and across nations regardless of divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political. It is also called as the United Nations Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace.

How It Marked Its Importance in History?

International Women’s Day first came into appearance at the beginning of the 20^th century in North America and Europe, a time of great expansion and turbulence in the industrialised world that witnessed the rise of women power:

In 1908, thousands of women marched through New York City demanding shorter working hours, better pay, and voting rights.

In 1909, the National Woman’s Day was celebrated across the United States on February 28 designated by Socialist Party of America, and until 1913, it was celebrated on the last Sunday of February.

In 1910, in the second International Conference of Working Women held in Copenhagen, it proposed to celebrate Women’s Day on an international level.

In 1913, International Women's Day was shifted to March 8 across Europe and had been the same ever since.

In 1917, the last Sunday in February fell on March 8 as per the Gregorian’s calendar when the Russian women protested for “Bread and peace”.

In 1975, the United Nations celebrated International Women’s Year and started celebrating IWD on March 8 since then.

In the 21st century, International Women's Day has assumed a global dimension and is declared an official holiday in many countries.

Why Is It So Important to Celebrate International Women’s Day?

Many people are in the misconception that women's equality benefits only women, but in reality, every one percentile growth in female education results in a 0.3% growth in the economy

Women take better decisions in their families and take care of their family’s healthcare and nutrition, thus contributing to the economic and social development of societies.

Research says that when a mother controls household budget, a child’s survival chance increases by 20%.

Companies with more women leaders perform better.

Peace agreements that involve women are more durable.

How Can We Celebrate This Special Day?

There are few interesting ways to add to the flavor of the celebration of International Women’s Day:

Thank Women: Think about the women you care or who have cared for you and say thanks to them; tell them how important they are to you.

Gift Women: Get something special be it big or small for the women you find important in your life; make them happy, they deserve it.

Spread It Socially: Use social network and write something on women, write some blog, or share some stories or experiences or pictures on women empowerment and equality and how it benefits the society.

Do Charity: Join a breast cancer awareness group or donate money that supports women.

Go Purple: Wear a purple ribbon or dress in purple color as it indicates raising awareness of violence against women.

Women Improvement in Light

It is proven that equality for women means progress for all. But sadly, despite of some great improvements, there are still some under-developed countries where women are facing problems for equality, and even in some developing or developed countries, women are falling victims for rape and murder; the only thing that can bring change is the change in the mind of the society! Celebrate International Women’s Day to reflect such progress to be made, to call for a change, and to honor the courage and determination of women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities.

What is the history behind celebration of International Women’s Day? How is Women’s Day celebrated across the globe? How to make Women in our lives feel special on the occasion of Women’s Day? Discuss here.