As International Women’s Day is approaching, we decided not to focus on giving you tips on how to prepare the best dinner for your BFFs or where to celebrate it. Instead, we decided to go back in time and see how far we’ve come and what brings us to where we’re now.
Celebrated annually on March 8, International Women’s Day is a day dedicated to acknowledging women’s contributions throughout history and around the world. A day for women from all backgrounds and cultures to come together to fight for gender parity and women’s rights.
Before we start celebrating all the prominent female figures in today’s world, we decided to take a look back at the amazing history behind it — including why we’re celebrating it today, why it is happening on March 8th, and what was the history behind it.
Women’s Day has a history that’s meant to educate and remind us where we started. It all began in 1909 with more than 15,000 women marching through Washington, demanding better pay, voting rights and shorter working hours. Interestingly, that event didn’t happen on March 8th, but rather around February 28th, when the last Sunday of February was declared the National Women’s Day.
Russian women started a “bread and peace” strike on the last Sunday of February, in response to the deaths of more than 2 million Russian soldiers in World War 1. The strike continued for 4 days until the Czar had to give up his throne and women were given the right to vote. The date on which it ended was Sunday, 23 February on the Julian calendar which was used in Russia at the time. That same date in the Gregorian calendar we use now was March 8th!
In 1975, the United Nations recognized Women’s Day, and ever since 1976, it’s been given a common theme describing that year’s focus. This year’s theme #ChooseToChallenge is meant to be a shared goal throughout 2021.
We can all choose to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality. We can all choose to seek out and celebrate women’s achievements. Collectively, we can all help create an inclusive world. From challenge comes change, so let’s all choose to challenge.
Today, we celebrate it solely because the original goal – to achieve the world’s complete gender equality – has not yet been accomplished. A gender pay gap is still present around the globe and women are still not equally represented in economics and politics.
According to a 2017 World Economic Forum report, it could still take another 100 years before the equality gap between men and women on a global scale disappears completely. Until then, we have to fight not only for ourselves but for all women on the planet who may not have the same privilege we have.
Set your goals high and strive to achieve them. Remember, you CAN and you will do it! Don’t let anyone dull your spark and be the best version of yourself in 2021!
“Change isn’t just about big headline moments, legal victories, and international agreements: the way we talk, think, and act every day can create a ripple effect that benefits everyone.”
-IWD
Let’s make 2021 count for women and girls everywhere.
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