March 8 is International Women’s Day (IWD), a time to celebrate the progress made in advancing women’s rights and highlight the ongoing efforts needed to ensure their full participation in all aspects of society.
The beginnings of International Women’s Day can be traced back to the early twentieth century. It emerged from the activities of labour movements in North America and Europe and reflected a growing call for women’s equal participation in society.
International Women’s Day first took place on March 19, 1911, in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland, when over a million people attended rallies to show their support for women’s rights to work, vote, hold public office and live free of discrimination. Other countries began to observe and celebrate this day in the years that followed. The United Nations recognized 1975 as International Women’s Year and began celebrating March 8 as International Women’s Day.
Today, International Women’s Day is a day of unity, celebration, reflection, advocacy, and action and is marked in many countries worldwide, including Canada.
At an international event in 1910, Clara Zetkin, a German advocate and activist for women’s rights, raised the idea of an International Women’s Day at the International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen. Her suggestion was backed unanimously by 100 women from 17 countries. The first International Women’s Day was celebrated in 1911 in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland.
Happy International Women’s Day!
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