- By celebrating the diverse experiences, perspectives, and contributions of women from various backgrounds, societies can also create a more inclusive and equitable future for all.
- Providing girls with access to quality education, mentorship, and role models equips them with the tools and confidence to pursue their aspirations and break through societal barriers.
- By investing in women’s education, entrepreneurship, and workforce participation, societies can unlock their full potential and accelerate progress toward gender equality.
The month of March carries a rich history of resilience, activism, and progress on a journey that, up to date, has not been straightforward.
Originally, International Women’s Day was observed on various dates across different countries, reflecting the diverse struggles and movements for women’s rights around the world.
Even though, the origins of this celebrations can be traced back to the early 20th century, when 15,000 women garment workers in New York City bravely took to the streets, demanding better working conditions and their rights to vote.
This pivotal event marked the beginning of a movement that would echo across continents and generations.
Following this, in 1910, at an international conference for working women in Denmark, German activist Clara Zetkin proposed the idea of an International Women’s Day—a day for women worldwide to unite and advocate for their rights.
The proposal garnered unanimous support from over 100 women representing 17 countries, laying the foundation for a global movement. Despite this unified vision, there was still ambiguity regarding the date of International Women’s Day.
In the next year, rallies were held in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland on March 19.
However, it was the events of March 8, two years later in 1913, when Russian women organized their first International Women’s Day celebration, campaigning for peace before the outbreak of World War I, that solidified the significance of this date.
The momentum continued in 1917 when Russian women staged the historic “Bread and Peace” strike on March 8, demanding an end to the war and addressing the dire consequences it imposed.
Four days later, their efforts bore fruit as the Czar abdicated, and the provisional government granted women the right to vote—a monumental victory in the fight for equality marking as it put an end to the struggle.
The struggle and the fight was not forgotten, much later in 1975, the United Nations formally recognized March 8 as International Women’s Day, a testament to the global significance of the day and the ongoing call for gender equity.
As the world continue to commemorate International Women’s Day, we still honour the achievements of women past and present, while acknowledging the challenges that lie ahead in our pursuit of a more just and inclusive world.
Themes and set agenda’s
‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress’ highlights the critical need to tackle economic disempowerment among women. Despite significant advancements, women continue to face barriers in accessing economic opportunities, perpetuating cycles of inequality.
With the United Nations designating this year’s theme as ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress’ and the campaign theme being ‘Inspire Inclusion,’ the focus is on amplifying voices, fostering diversity, and empowering women across various facets of society.
By investing in women’s education, entrepreneurship, and workforce participation, societies can unlock their full potential and accelerate progress towards gender equality.
Creating inclusive workplaces is essential for fostering gender equality and driving economic growth. Companies must prioritize policies that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion to ensure that women have equal opportunities for career advancement and leadership roles.
Investing in women’s leadership development and closing the gender pay gap, businesses can harness the full potential of their workforce and drive innovation.
Recognizing diversity’s role in advancing gender equality
The 2024 IWD theme not only emphasizes the importance of embracing diversity but also acknowledges its pivotal role in advancing gender equality. Diversity, in all its facets, enriches communities and organizations, fostering creativity and resilience.
Celebrating the diverse experiences, perspectives, and contributions of women from various backgrounds, societies can also create a more inclusive and equitable future for all.
Promoting intersectional feminism is crucial in this endeavor. This approach acknowledges that gender inequality intersects with other forms of discrimination, including race, ethnicity, class, and sexuality.
To truly advance gender equality, we must address the intersecting barriers that marginalized women face. By amplifying the voices of women of colour and women from marginalized communities, we can build a more inclusive movement that leaves no one behind.
Empowering future generations is essential for sustainable progress. Investing in the education and empowerment of young girls breaks the cycle of inequality and inspires the next generation of female leaders.
Providing girls with access to quality education, mentorship, and role models equips them with the tools and confidence to pursue their aspirations and break through societal barriers. Empowered girls become empowered women who can drive meaningful change in their communities and beyond.
Empowered future
International Women’s Day 2024 is proof of both the progress we have made and the challenges that still lie ahead in our pursuit of gender equality. Economic empowerment remains central to our efforts.
Despite strides made, barriers to economic opportunities persist for women, perpetuating cycles of inequality.
Through initiatives that promote women’s education, entrepreneurship, and workforce participation, we can unlock their full potential and drive progress towards gender equality. Empowering future generations is essential for sustainable progress.
Education and empowerment of young girls, may break the cycle of inequality and pave the way for a brighter future. Let us commit to providing girls with access to quality education, mentorship, and role models, nurturing the next generation of women leaders who will drive meaningful change in their communities and beyond.
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We can accelerate progress toward gender equality by advocating for policies that promote economic empowerment, embracing diversity and inclusion, and investing in the potential of future generations. Let this day become a push for action, inspiring us to work tirelessly toward a brighter and more inclusive future for all.
And to the women, not just this day, but every day, be strong, be independent, be bold, and be passionate; we see you! Happy International Women’s Month!
