INTERNATIONAL WOMENS DAY: I am sure most of you, if not all, know of International Women’s Day. Tomorrow, Saturday, March 8th is International Women’s Day (IWD). It is celebrated on March 8th every year. For many centuries, women were treated like “secondary” human beings. In many countries, societies and religions, even today women are “subjugated,” so to speak, and treated as possessions of their husbands. At the beginning of the 20th century, discussion started taking place among women in Europe and the United States about womens oppression and inequality. The discussion started spurring women to become more vocal and active in campaigning for change. In most countries in those days women were discriminated against, especially when it came to jobs. So, sometime in early 1900, about 15,000 to 20,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter hours, better pay and voting rights. As a result, International Womens WORKING Day was established by groups of women in Europe and in USA. Ever since it has been observed in many parts of the world, including India. In many countries it is a public holiday - eg. in Uganda, Afghanistan, Russia, Ukraine and even China and Nepal, except that in China and Nepal it is a holiday only for women. Eventually, a couple of decades later it became officially known as International Women’s Day (IWD). In different regions of the world, the celebrations range from women’s economic, political and social achievements to a celebration of respect, appreciation and love for women. The global celebrations of this day include diverse local activities that connect women from all around the world ranging from political rallies, business conferences, government activities and networking events through to local womens craft markets, theatric performances, fashion parades and more. In USA and some other countries, the IWD has lost its political significance, so to speak, and has become simply a day for men to express their love, respect and gratitude for women’s contribution to the world in many areas. In USA, many people think it is simply a kind of mixture of Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day but, in actuality, it is much more than that. In many other regions of the world, however, the original political, economic and human rights theme runs strong, and political and social awareness of the struggles of women worldwide are brought out. Although the earliest observance of the day was not so well-known it is now being widely observed, especially since 1977 when the United Nations General Assembly recognized March 8 as the Day for Womens Rights’ and to mark womens achievements and to appreciate their contribution to the world outside of their homes. Today International Womens Day has become a GLOBAL day of recognition and celebration across developed and developing countries alike. As a result of this movement women have slowly but surely gained some equality, especially in United States. There are many more women in management positions today than ever before. There are also many in the “big” boardrooms today. In fact, according Fortune magazine, women currently hold about 5 percent of Fortune 500 companies’ CEO positions. Here are just a few of the many BIG American corporations where CEOs are female: General Motors, IBM, HP (Hewlett Packard), PepsiCo Yahoo, Xerox, Lockheed Martin……..! Some of these CEOs have become impressive role models not just for women but also for men. Some of these CEOs have become impressive role models not just for women but also for men. Having said that, the unfortunate fact is that on average women are still not paid equally to that of their male counterparts and women still are not present in equal numbers in business or politics, and globally womens education, health and the violence against them is still worse than that of men, not just in the developing countries but also in the developed countries. Every year United Nations comes up with a specific theme for that day. The official U.N. theme for 2014 IWD is EQUALITY for WOMEN is PROGRESS for ALL Some examples of the past themes: · 1996: Celebrating the Past, Planning for the Future · 1999: World Free of Violence Against Women · 2001: Women and Peace: Women Managing Conflicts · 2006: Women in Decision-making · 2010: Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities: Progress for All · 2013: A Promise is a Promise: Time for Action to End Violence Against Women However, many local women’s organizations come up their own themes. Thousands of events occur to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women. Organizations, governments, charities, educational institutions, womens groups, corporations and the media celebrate the day. Google is celebrating the International Womens day with an interactive doodle on its home page that will be displayed starting today, March 7 till March 9. The company first created a doodle on the occasion in 2005. If you are interested, go toi Google on your website and click on the play button and it will start an embedded YouTube video that includes women from all over the world wishing Happy Internationals Womens day in their native languages. Among the women singing you will see some prominent names like Asha Bhosle, Malala Youasafzai and others. Anyway, in conclusion let me just say that this is an occasion for looking back on past struggles and accomplishments, and more importantly, for looking ahead to the untapped potential and opportunities that await future generations of women. So, folks, let us make a difference, think globally and act locally!! Do your bit to ensure that the future for girls is bright, equal, safe and rewarding Incidentally, if you see people – mostly women - wearing purple ribbons you know that they are celebrating International Women’s Day! And, guys, make sure you get something for your mother, wife, sister, mother daughter………. Any lady of significance in your life. A chocolate would be good too!
Posted on: Sat, 08 Mar 2014 00:16:36 +0000
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