Invest in women: Accelerate progress
This year's International Women's Day (IWD) theme is "Invest in women: Accelerate progress" calls for a renewed commitment to bridging the gender gap and empowering women across the globe.
The United Nations first celebrated International Women’s Day on 8 March 1975 during the International Women’s Year in 1975 to highlight women’s achievements and bridge gender parity across the world.
International Women's Day: Theme for 2024
Every year, International Women's Day is dedicated to a specific theme. The topic for 2024 is 'Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress'. It aims to address economic disempowerment.
Many countries observe International Women's Day. It is a day when women's achievements are celebrated regardless of national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic, or political boundaries.
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The celebration spreads
After World War II, 8 March started to be celebrated in a number of countries.
In 1975, during the International Women's Year, the United Nations began celebrating 8 March as International Women's Day. Two years later, in December 1977, the General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming a United Nations Day for Women's Rights and International Peace to be observed on any day of the year by Member States, in accordance with their historical and national traditions. Since then, the United Nations and their agencies have worked tirelessly to secure gender equality worldwide with great outcomes achieved: in 1995 the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a historic roadmap signed by 189 governments, focused on 12 critical areas of concern; and the inclusion of Goal 5 “Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls” in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Source: (https://www.un.org/en/observances/womens-day/background)
Gender inequality is discrimination based on sex or gender, resulting in one sex or gender being consistently privileged or prioritized over another.
Why 8 March?
19 March, the last Sunday of February, 15 April, and 23 February are among the key dates for the International Women’s Day movement. But where, then, did the 8th of March come from? Ask Julius Cesar and Gregory XIII! Before the Revolution, Russia had not yet adopted the Gregorian calendar, introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582 to mitigate the errors of the Julian calendar, which owes its name to the Roman emperor, who had chosen it 46 years before the birth of Jesus Christ. The Gregorian calendar is used today in the large majority of countries. In 1917, 23 February in Russia thus corresponded to 8 March in the other European countries. It’s as simple as that!
Source: (https://www.un.org/en/observances/womens-day/background)
Why Invest in Women?
Investing in women isn't just about social justice, it's crucial for global progress. Studies show that empowering women leads to increased economic growth, improved health outcomes, and stronger communities. Despite these benefits, significant disparities remain in various areas, including:
- Economic disempowerment: Women often face lower wages, limited access to financial resources, and underrepresentation in leadership roles.
- Education: Girls in many regions are still denied access to quality education, hindering their future opportunities.
- Healthcare: Women's specific healthcare needs are sometimes overlooked, leading to inadequate access to essential services.
How do we remember her each day?
Not only should we honors women on one day, but each of us should make small daily moves that add up to a significant impact.
To overcome the ingrained programming in our minds and create a safer, more accepting, and empowered environment for girl children and everyone else will require guts every single day. Here are a few way by which we can accomplish this:
- Equal Respect: Regardless of gender, age, caste, class, or location, cultivate equal respect and honesty towards girls and women.
- Empower girls and women: encourage self-reliant thinking and communication by providing education, awareness, and financial literacy.
- Ensure access to good (physical, mental, menstrual, and emotional) health resources and facilities. Remember, little yet considerate activities are one of the most powerful languages.
- Support Organizations: Participate in the broader movement by lending your support to groups that really and ardently address issues pertaining to women's empowerment and the welfare of girls.
- Take a stand against child labour or marriage if you encounter such episodes.
