6 facts about International Women's Day you should know - Moose River

March 8 has been celebrated as International Women’s Day for more than 100 years around the world. The purpose of this day may differ from region to region. For example, in some countries it is seen as a day of protest, in others as a way to celebrate the achievements of women and the advancement of gender equality, in still others as a holiday. But the fundamentals of March 8 are much deeper than you think. Let’s look at these details together.

1. International Women’s Day originated over 100 years ago.

On February 28, 1909, the now defunct Socialist Party of America held the first National Women’s Day, which took place on the last Sunday in February. In 1910, Clara Zetkin, leader of the Women’s Bureau of the Social Democratic Party in Germany, proposed the idea of a global International Women’s Day so that people all over the world could celebrate it at the same time. This was followed by the first International Women’s Day on March 19, 1911; These celebrations were attended by over 1 million people from Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Denmark.

2. Celebrations gave women the right to vote in Russia

In 1917, women in Russia commemorated the day by launching a “bread and peace” strike to protest World War I and in defense of gender equality. II, who ruled the country at the time. Although the king objected to this protest, the women did not give up and continued their actions. A few days later the king abdicated. Later, the provisional government gave women in Russia the right to vote.

3. The United Nations officially recognized International Women’s Day in 1975.

The United Nations recognized 1975 as International Women’s Year and celebrated March 8 as Women’s Day for the first time. Since then, the UN has been a major sponsor on March 8, marking a public holiday to celebrate “acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played a prominent role in history.”

4. International Women’s Day is a public holiday in dozens of countries.

Afghanistan, Cuba, Vietnam, Uganda, Mongolia, Georgia, Laos, Cambodia, Armenia, Belarus, Montenegro, Russia and Ukraine are just some of the places where March 8 is considered a public holiday.

5. International Women’s Day is celebrated along with Mother’s Day in many places.

Mother’s Day is celebrated in some countries, including Serbia, Albania, Macedonia and Uzbekistan, in conjunction with March 8th. On this day, children give their mothers and grandmothers small gifts.

6. Every year the celebration of International Women’s Day has an official theme.

In 1996, the United Nations decided on the theme for that year’s International Women’s Day:

Celebrating the past, planning for the future.

The theme in 1997 was “Women at the World Table” and in 1998 “Women and Human Rights”. The theme for 2023 is “Ensuring Equity”.

6 facts about International Women’s Day you should know