campaign theme: #BeBoldForChange
The History of Women’s day
Women’s day was first celebrated on February 28th, 1909 in New York. After about two years, a German socialist called Luise Zietz made a proposal to make the occasion an annual observation that would celebrate various women’s issues in order to promote equal rights for women. Over the years, the international women’s day has been celebrated differently by different countries. The first two celebrations after women’s day was established, were completely different compared to what we see these days. There were demonstrations taking place especially in Europe where women demanded to be given voting rights and an opportunity to hold public offices since sex discrimination in employment was a big issue at the time. I believe that in some countries, this is still an issue that needs addressing. In 1917 at Saint Petersburg, Russia, the February Revolution was initiated by the help of women’s day demonstrations that demanded an end to World War I.
The United Nations General Assembly decided to proclaim March 8th International Women’s Day and this created a worldwide popularity, but this was only after 1977, when Women’s Day was celebrated only in socialite countries such as China.
The main goal for celebrating Women’s day is to raise awareness among people about the struggles that women from all over the world go through and also recognize their achievements. Thousands of women do tremendous things, and even though not all achievements are huge, they have become the game-changers of the world. Therefore, women should be deeply appreciated and not taken for granted. A simple thank you lifts a woman’s spirits, but there is virtually loads of things people can do to help improve their lives in this world.
I recommend that people should attend events that are organized globally to learn how women from different countries live. Additionally, reading journals and books that have biographies of women who have made a difference in the world is important. One of the biographies that I can recommend would be that of a Somalian women’s rights activist Ayaan Hirsi Ali who is an inspiration and an eye opener to many. I urge women and men to join forces and take bold action to accelerate gender parity. Together we can advance and unleash the potential of this world and by doing this, we will broaden our horizons greatly.
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Below, check out some the events in different cities that have been organized for this awesome day and get out there and help women all over the world celebrate themselves. Will you BeBoldForChange?
WASHINGTON DC
1. Protest: Resist Trump. Kill the Gag. March 8 @ 11:00 am – 1:30 pm
https://www.womenstrikeus.org/event/washington-dc-protest-resist-trump-kill-the-gag/
Trump’s global gag rule is a grotesque expansion of a failed, deadly policy that prohibits foreign organizations that receive U.S. global health assistance from providing or even discussing abortions with patients. This rule now threatens access to safe abortion and other basic health care for millions of people around the world.
We know that this egregious attack on the health and lives of women and other people who depend on U.S.-funded health programs for their care is just the first of many attempts the Trump Administration will make to strip away our sexual and reproductive health, rights, and justice.
Fight back and say NO to the global gag rule, NO to abortion bans. Not now, not ever!
11:00am: Gather in Freedom Plaza
11:30am: March to the White House
12pm: Protest in Lafayette Park
Interested in getting involved outside the D.C area? Join the movement on Twitter using the hashtags #TrumpGlobalGag and #NoAbortionBan
2. How water can Change the gender gap.TEDx
3.Women in the arts Pop-up Gallery and Happy hour
https://www.internationalwomensday.com/Activity/8278/Women-In-the-Arts-Pop-up-Gallery-and-Happy-Hour
4. Is Fintech the key to closing gender gap?
http://www.finca.org/event/is-fintech-the-key-to-closing-the-gender-gap/
5.Border Crossing
https://nmwa.org/events/mar-08-gallery-talk-border-crossing
NEW YORK
1. Women in the Changing World of Work: Planet 50:50 by 2030, 10:00am-12:30 pm, UN. Free with registration. United Nations Observance of International Women’s Day 2017 with UN Secretary General António Guterres, UN Women Goodwill Ambassador Anne Hathaway, UNDP Administrator Helen Clark, and many others.
2.Women Can Build: Re-envisioning Rosie Photo Exhibit
3.Human Rights at a Forum on Women’s Issues
SAN FRANSISCO
1.Happy hour with the League of women voters of San Francisco
2.San Francisco International Women’s Day Celebration
Friday, March 10th | 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
YWCA * | 940 Powell Street | San Francisco
3.International Women’s Day with SFNOW & Voodoo Cabaret
CHICAGO
1. #Band Together. Build Bridges. Empower Women.eBoldforChange because #DifferentisBetter.
2.A vehicle for Real change
https://www.internationalwomensday.com/Activity/7972/SheSays-Chicago-A-Vehicle-for-Real-Change
#bandtogether #buildbridges #empowerwomen #atlascorpsrepresent