International Women’s Day 2019: Why it is celebrated on March 8th, Significance and theme
International Women’s Day is celebrated all around the world on March 8th every year. While women should be encouraged every day to live their life the way they want, this day marks a special date as women all around the world are recognized for their achievements without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political. The day was first observed on February 28, 1909, in New York, however, later in 1910, March 8 was finalized as the day when Women’s Day. Considering the emergence of many movements like Me Too Movements and Times Up campaign, the past few years have seen more women achievers coming forward and inspiring the world to be a better place for all.
History of Internation Women’s Day
International Women's Day first emerged from the activities of labour movements at the turn of the twentieth century in North America and across Europe. In 1910, at the Socialist International meeting in Copenhagen, the UN established March 8th to be the day when the women’s movement, as well as their efforts, are honoured internationally. Throughout the years, many changes and new objectives are brought to further engrave the meaning of this day and in 2015, countries adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals. In it, Goal 5 is “Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
International Women’s Day 2019: Why it is celebrated on March 8th, Significance and theme
Women’s Day is an official holiday in many countries Cuba, Armenia, Mongolia, Russia, Uganda and Ukraine. On this day, just like on Mother’s Day, men around the world pamper the women in their lives and honour them for all that they have done or them by presenting gifts to their mothers, girlfriends and wives.
Theme for 2019
Every year UN assigns a theme to the day and this year it is #BalanceForBetter with regards to the greater global push for professional and social equality. According to the UN, “From grassroots activism to worldwide action, we are entering an exciting period of history where the world expects balance. We notice its absence and celebrate its presence.” It further states, “The 2019 #BalanceforBetter campaign runs all year long. It doesn't end on International Women's Day. The campaign theme provides a unified direction to guide and galvanize continuous collective action, with #BalanceforBetter activity reinforced and amplified all year.”
Significance of International Women’ Day
March 8 is significant all over the world as it honours the women achievers and also inspires many other women to come forward and make a mark in society. Other than making women feel special about their powers of balancing personal and professional life brilliantly, the day makes them engrave their belief in themselves and works as a catalyst in their drive to make the world a better place to live for all.
