The History of International Women's Day
Celebrated annually on the 8th March, International Women's Day is a time to celebrate not just the wonderful women we all cherish in our lives, but also the ongoing fight for women's equality.
In the past, women have had to face unjust treatment for their gender and have been stripped of rights including the right to vote, drive, and visit certain spaces that were deemed to be only for men.
Thanks to the activism of women such as the suffragettes, women now enjoy more rights than they ever have before in most parts of the world. But the fight is far from over. In fact, statistics show that nearly 2.4 billion women across the globe still don't have the same economic rights as men.
With this in mind, International Women's Day should be seen not just as a chance to be grateful for the wives, sisters, mothers, friends, and daughters that are in our lives, but also to continue speaking up for the rights of women.
International Women's Day first appeared in some form as National Woman's Day, which was celebrated in the US on 8th March 1909. This day was created in recognition of the women who went on strike to protest unsafe conditions and unfair employment practices in garment factories in New York.
The United Nations formally recognised this date as International Women's Day in 1975, and the day has been marked by various celebrations ever since.
How to Celebrate International Women's Day
International Women's Day's purpose is two-fold - to show gratitude to the strong women in your life, and continue being a vocal advocate for the rights of women in the economy, the workplace, and beyond.
There's no set way to celebrate International Women's Day, but here are a few of our favourite ideas to join the fight for gender equity during this global celebration of women.
1. Read Books About Gender Equality
One of the easiest ways to become part of the fight for increased gender equality around the world is to better inform your knowledge of gender inequality, feminism, and the history of women's rights.
An easy way to get up to date is by reading books written by women, about women. To keep yourself accountable and create a community for sharing ideas, consider starting a book club which focuses on books about gender equality.
2. Celebrate with the Women in Your Life
There's no doubt you have women in your life who you value significantly, so why not use International Women's Day as a way to show your appreciation by treating them to a meal out, a weekend away, or a spa day?
Women's work around the home, in terms of cleaning and child-rearing, is all too often overlooked. By showing the women in your life how grateful you are for what they do, you'll make a difference in the lives of those around you.
3. Ask Your Workplace about Gender Equality Initiatives
One of the places in which women tend to face the most gender discrimination is, unfortunately, the workplace. From employers being reluctant to hire women at a certain age for fear of pregnancy to the gender pay gap, fighting gender inequality at your workplace is a must.
To celebrate this global celebration, ask the management at your workplace which policies they could put in place to better empower women.
4. Donate to Gender Equality Organisations
Many charities and organisations around the world are joining the fight for gender equality by providing women with education, work opportunities, health support, and legal resources.
If you want to join the fight for women's equality but don't have the time to volunteer, for example, donate to these organisations as a way of playing your part in supporting the cause.
Examples of these charities in the UK include Women's Aid, Young Women's Trust, and Girls Out Loud.
5. Support Women-Owned Businesses
One of the easiest ways to boost women's standing in the economy is by buying from businesses that are exclusively owned by and managed by women. By doing so, you'll be putting your money where your mouth is and helping women to better climb the economic and career ladder.
In Summary
However you decide to celebrate International Women's Day this year, take the opportunity to reflect on how far the fight for gender equality has come, how far it still has to go, and how you can support the effort in your own life.
And don't forget to say thank you to the women in your life who contribute so much, whether that's to your family dynamic, workplace, or friendship group.
All that's left to say is Happy International Women's Day!
