Originally published on the CGS blog on March 8, 2016.
Today is International Women’s Day (IWD), the day to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women around the world. In honor of the day I think it is important not only to recognize the historical influence of women, but to also look forward and promote a gender equal future.
International Women’s Day was first organized by the German socialist and theorist Clara Zetkin along with 100 delegates from 17 countries in March 1911. It was instituted in response to the numerous movements worldwide advocating for women’s right to vote, hold office and be given equal employment rights as men. It began as a massive protest by strong, brave, independent women when it was not “progressive” or “cool” to be a strong, brave, independent woman.
Since then, the holiday has evolved into a day of awareness on women’s progress in the ongoing fight for gender equality and a day to address issues across the globe that directly affect women. It has also expanded from one day to encompass the entire month of March, recognized as Women’s History month by President Obama in 2011. It has gained support in the media and across the internet; every year Google posts a doodle on its homepage in support for women around the world.
Each year carries with it a different theme typically focused on the progression of women’s rights through a specific action; this year’s theme is #PledgeforParity. Very similar to the #HeforShe campaign, #PledgeforParity encourages everyone, both men and women, to pledge to take a concrete step to help achieve gender parity more quickly. International Women’s day encourages people worldwide to take the pledge for gender equality and to act to become a leader for gender equality within our own communities.
We have come a long way since the inception of IWD, but we still have a long way to go in our journey for a gender equal world. Women are predicted to face another 118-year wait for the gender pay gap to close; currently only 55 of the 500 richest people in the world are women. Still only half of the world’s working-age women are in the labor force, compared to 77 percent of working-age men. 4 out of 5 victims of human trafficking are girls. According to the UN Foundation, “At least 250,000 maternal deaths and as many as 1.7 million newborn deaths would be averted if the need for both family planning and maternal and newborn health services were met.”
We still need International Women’s Day. As UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said,
“We have shattered so many glass ceilings we created a carpet of shards. Now we are sweeping away the assumptions and bias of the past so women can advance across new frontiers.”
