International Women’s Day

March 8 is International Women’s Day, a global celebration each year of the economic, political and social achievements of women in the last 100 years.

2008 marks the 100 year anniversary of the day that started it all, and changed the lives and history of women for ever.

On the 8th of March 1908, 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding more rights for women. The right to vote and the right to better working conditions. Many women of the time worked in appalling conditions, earned half that of men’s wages, died prematurely from poor health and didn’t have the right to vote.

IWD has been celebrated in Australia since 1928, when the first rally was held in Sydney calling for equal pay for equal work, an eight hour day for shop workers, no piece-work, a base wage for the unemployed and paid annual holidays.

International Women’s Day is about remembering the battles long fought to build a society that is just and fair to all its members. A society in which diversity, tolerance, safety, social justice and equality between women and men is a given. And its about celebrating what women have done, are doing and can do in the future.

IWD is also a time to contemplate those areas of women’s lives where more can be done. Women’s access to education, health care and paid labour has improved. However, there are still many places where women do not have all the same rights and opportunities as men. Despite all the work being done, women around the world are still suffering as victims of sexual assault, domestic violence and discrimination.

In celebration of International Women’s Day, spare 2mins to please join UNIFEM Goodwill Ambassador Nicole Kidman in support of UNIFEM’s campaign to Say No to Violence against Women! Add you name to an ever-growing movement of people who speak out to put a halt to this shameful human rights violation. One in 3 women and girls may be beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused in their lifetime. Shocking, isn’t it?