By Recognized by the United Nations in 1977, International Women’s Day emerged from the trade union movements at the beginning of the 20th century. We analyze its history and importance in the current context.
In 1975, the United Nations (UN) declared March 8 as the date on which International Women’s Day is celebrated. In 1977, it was officially established to reflect on the search for equality and non-discrimination towards women.
Every year, this event is a day of unity for women around the world, regardless of origin, race, profession or socioeconomic level. It celebrates the rights they have won and the long history of struggles and sacrifices to achieve them.
The aim is to raise awareness in the community about the inequality and discrimination that women still experience around the world. It also aims to denounce the path that remains to be taken towards a society without gender gaps and greater equality.
Milestones of International Women’s Day
The fact that women today exercise rights that they did not have before, such as studying, working, holding political positions, making important decisions, managing our assets and even voting, has happened through multiple facets.
It seems like a simple and natural thing; however, to obtain these benefits the crusade has been hard since the end of the 19th century. Let us analyze history a little and reflect on the valuable meaning that this date has.
1848
A new movement begins! Outraged at not being allowed to participate in a London anti-slavery convention, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott organized the first Women’s Rights Convention. They brought together hundreds of people in Seneca Falls, New York, marking the first steps toward ensuring equal status in the United States.
March 8, 1857
In the context of the Industrial Revolution, female textile workers, known as garment workers , organized a strike in New York in order to obtain fair wages, more humane working conditions and a reduction in the working day.
1907
The first International Conference of Socialist Women takes place in Stuttgart, Germany, led by Clara Zetkin. The Socialist International of Women is thus founded, the main objective of which is women’s suffrage.
March 8, 1908
Women’s march in New York with more than 15,000 people, to demand shorter working hours, an end to child labour, better wages and the right to vote, under the slogan “Bread and Roses”. Bread symbolised economic security and roses quality of life.
February 28, 1909
It is the first National Women’s Day in the United States, according to a statement from the Socialist Party of America.
August 26-27, 1910
II International Meeting of Socialist Women in Copenhagen, Denmark. Clara Zetkin, a German activist, proposed commemorating a women’s day, a request that was accepted unanimously, although no specific date was agreed upon.
March 19, 1911
The first International Women’s Day is being commemorated, following the decision taken in Copenhagen, by more than a million people in Germany, Austria, Denmark and Switzerland. The right to vote, to hold public office, to work for women, to vocational training and to non-discrimination in the workplace is being demanded.
March 25, 1911
A terrible fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist factory in New York City killed 146 people, 129 women and 17 men. It is believed that the workers were locked inside to prevent them from taking breaks during their shifts and to prevent theft, so they were kept locked up until they left.
This event reveals the poor working conditions that women had at that time. This is a fact that significantly marks the struggle for women’s rights.
February 23, 1913 (March 8 in the Gregorian calendar)
The first International Women’s Day is being celebrated in St. Petersburg. At the meeting, Alekseeva, a social worker, talks about the conditions of women workers. They worked up to 11 hours for miserable wages, which meant they had no time for their own intellectual development and caring for their families, as well as other issues of inequality and mistreatment.
February 23, 1917 (March 8, Gregorian calendar)
In response to the millions of soldiers killed in the war, Russian women go on strike to demand “peace and bread.” Shortly afterwards, Tsar Nicholas II abdicates and the provisional government grants women the right to vote. This moment is considered the milestone that marks the date on which International Women’s Day is commemorated.
1975
Finally, in 1975, the UN recognized March 8 as International Women’s Day. It was proclaimed at the General Assembly in 1977, two years later. The highest body advocated for the vindication of their rights, as well as the defense of their social, legal and labor equality compared to men.
In this same year, the first World Conference of the International Year of Women was held in Mexico City, where a global action plan was defined to follow up on the objectives defined in the International Year of Women, including the guidelines to be followed until 1985.
1979
The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) is created . The UN General Assembly adopted its principles on December 18, 1979, and it came into force in 1981. It is considered the international charter of women’s rights, not to mention that it is the second most widely ratified instrument by member states.
1980
The World Conference on the United Nations Decade for Women is held in Copenhagen. Its aim was to examine the achievement of previously proposed goals in the areas of employment, health and education . New goals were set: to guarantee women’s property, inheritance rights and custody of children.
1985
The Third World Conference to Review and Appraise the Achievements of the United Nations Decade for Women is held in Nairobi. Agreements are reached on gender equality .
1995
Fourth World Conference on Women, held in Beijing. It marks a turning point in women’s empowerment , with achievements in 12 crucial areas. To name a few: in the field of education and training, in health and against violence against women.
Following this significant conference, which sets the goals to be achieved by 2030, a series of evaluations follow every 5 years to examine the achievements and reinforce the problems that arise.
Current situation of women’s rights
Today, thanks to the struggle and work of many women, we enjoy benefits that were not available in the past. We highlight the following:
- Education
- Equality in the workplace
- Women’s suffrage
- Freedom of expression
- Family planning
- Maternal and child rights
- Gender equality before the law
- Autonomy over marriage
- Female political representation
- Women’s rights against gender violence
However, gender gaps (a measure that shows the distance between women and men with respect to the same indicator) have a long pending agenda to resolve in labour matters, as well as in matters of women’s health and poverty, in academic training, in terms of equal opportunities and, above all, in matters of domestic and professional violence.
Small actions with big impacts
Change does not only come about through international or legal agreements, big headlines or demonstrations; transformation is achieved through the actions we take in our daily lives.
The theme chosen for the campaign to commemorate International Women’s Day 2024 is ” inspiring inclusion “. That is, motivating others to understand and value the inclusion of women. Here are some ideas to achieve this.
Commit to a cause
Nothing is too small, so you can start by collaborating in your community.
Respect all people
Keep in mind that dignity is inalienable and must always be respected for what it is.
Exercise your political rights
It is very important to read and participate in the public life of your country. For example, attend elections.
Teach girls their worth
Let’s break the stereotypes of women’s dependence, vulnerability or incapacity, show girls everything they can be.
Challenge stereotypes
Current beauty standards promote a narrow and unrealistic view of female bodies and appearance; these ideals cause great physical and psychological damage.
Questions what it means to be a man
Traditional notions of masculinity not only repress boys from expressing their feelings , but also put them in uncomfortable situations when faced with female abuse.
Don’t assume, listen
Most of us have prejudices related to these gender issues. All of this is challenged when we hear new arguments and adapt to the ways of the times.
Pay and demand the same salary for equal positions
Even today, women earn 10 to 30% less than men for the same work. Whether you are a worker or a service provider, get informed so that the salary is fair and equal for both.
Pay attention to the signs of violence
Women continue to face sexist and disrespectful behaviour that is not limited to physical aggression, but also verbal and psychological. We must not allow this. Let us put a stop to it and report it when necessary.
Share the care
Unpaid domestic work and care are three times more often done by women than by men. Organize these responsibilities together with your family as tasks for everyone. This way, future generations will begin to break down the gender gap that separates us.
8M a day to reflect
March 8 is a day to reflect on how the world has progressed in terms of how it views women and how it views them today.
It is also a day to raise awareness of struggles and achievements in order to be valued and respected in all spheres of our lives. It serves to think of new ways in light of the current conditions we face daily.