It is a time to celebrate all women, in all their diversities. It is a day we embrace their complexities and intersections of faith, race, ethnicity, gender or sexual identity, or disability. A day to celebrate those who came before us, those who stand beside us now, and those who will come after.
1. Why do we celebrate Women’s Day on 8th March?
According to the history of International Women’s Day, the first glimpse of it was in 1909, when the Socialist Party of America celebrated 15,000 women who protested long work hours, low pay, and a lack of voting rights in New York City.
Years later, on March 8, 1917, tens of thousands of Russian women also took to the streets to demand change. Men were away fighting in World War I (WWI), while women had to deal with food shortages and a government that wouldn’t listen to them. The allied cry and strike for help paved the way for Russian women to be granted voting rights soon after. The strike had begun on March 8, which became International Women’s Day.
2. What is the theme for International Women’s Day 2022?
The International Women’s Day 2022 will be celebrated under the theme “# BreakTheBias.” The theme aims at echoing awareness against bias and taking action for human rights.
The UN has also announced their theme for 2022 as “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow”. Recently, many women and young girls, like Greta Thunberg, Vanessa Nakate, and Anita Soina, have been at the forefront of rooting for climate change. This year’s theme is aimed at recognising how these women around the world are responding to climate change.
3. Who started International Women’s Day?
Clara Zetkin, a communist activist and advocate for women’s rights, set the pace for an International Women’s Day, after the socialist party of America. She proposed the creation of an International Day in 1910, she presented her idea to an International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen, and the 100 women in attendance from 17 countries unanimously agreed. Read more about Clara here.
4. What themes have been used on Women’s Day so far?
Here is a compilation of themes used on International Women’s Day from 2016:
- #PledgeforParity-2016
- #BeBoldforChange-2017
- #PressforProgress-2018
- #BalanceforBetter-2019
- #EachforEqual-2020
- #ChoosetoChallenge-2021
- #BreaktheBias-2022
5. What is the colour for International Women’s Day?
International Women’s Day is celebrated in the colours purple, green, and white.
Purple symbolises justice and dignity. Green is a colour that represents hope. While white represents purity, it is a controversial concept. In 1908, the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) in the United Kingdom created the colours.
However, purple and white are the most commonly used colours.
6. How do we celebrate International Women’s Day?
International Women’s Day is celebrated widely and differently across Africa and the rest of the world;
In Uganda, people recognise women’s contributions to their families and societies while also emphasising the need for better treatment and rights for women. On those days, some men tend to take on their wives’ responsibilities by doing all the housework, including babysitting.
Government officials often hold gatherings in which they encourage women to advance in life and inform them of the services provided by the government. They motivate the women to pursue higher education and make something of their lives.
In Italy, International Women’s Day, or la Festa della Donna, is celebrated by the giving of mimosa blossoms. The origin of this tradition is unclear but it is believed to have started in Rome after World War Two.
In the US, the month of March is Women’s History Month. A presidential proclamation issued every year honours the achievements of American women.
In Russia, the prices of flowers double during the three or four days around 8 March.
We won’t forget to mention social media, many people also celebrate the day by posting their favourite females.
7. Is Women’s Day a public holiday?
Yes! It is a global public holiday that must be observed by everyone for all women on March 8.
In some countries, like China, Women’s Day is not a big holiday. As advised by the state council, female employees are only given a half-day holiday. Though men strive to get them flowers on that day, just like on Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day.
8. What should I do on International Women’s Day?
Since it’s a holiday, you might be wondering what exactly to do apart from eating, entertainment, and sleeping. There is a list of things you could do on Women’s Day.
You could attend an event. Get educated by finding out more about the feminist movement and the fight for gender equality. Learn about intersectionality and the challenges faced by women of colour, trans women, and women with disabilities.
Read books or watch educative movies or series featuring situations girls or women encounter while in society or get inspired by a leading feminist scholar and activist.
Celebrate your favourite women, female leaders, female lecturers, or deans for the good work they’ve done by shouting them out on social media.
Be deliberate in your choices. Ask yourself, how many women are on your music playlists? Does a woman own or run the shops where you pick up your groceries? Think about whether there’s a better way to support women through the media you consume or the products you buy. How many women graduated from your class? Are there any girls in your engineering class?
9. What do you say on International Women’s Day?
So what do you say after learning it’s Women’s Day? Well, the language you use will depend on who you are addressing. A thank you message to your mother should be different from the one to your wife.
First, you can “break the bias” by telling them Happy Women’s Day, followed by your thank you message. It could be something like, “Happy Women’s Day mum, thank you for making me who I am today. Thank you for loving me endlessly. This one day is not enough to cherish you, but I am glad it gives me a special opportunity to say something to you.”
10. Are men part of the International Women’s Day celebration?
Men, of course, play a role. On this day, they are supposed to make the women feel very special. International Men’s Day is also observed annually on November 19th in some countries.
By: IUEA Connect
