International Women's Day is celebrates the world over, every year on the eight day of March. It celebrates womanhood and pays tribute to the indomitable spirit of women across the globe.
It's root lies in the early 1900s when oppression and inequality was spurring women to become more vocal and active in campaigning for change. The first National Woman's Day was more or less a political event, observed across the United States on 28 February. It was the initiative of Socialist Party of America.
Women continued to celebrate National Woman's Day on the last Sunday of February until 1913.
In the International Conference of Working Women held in Copenhagen in 9110, leader of the Women's Office for the Social Democratic Party in Germany- Clara Zetkin floated the idea of an International Women's Day. Zetkin's suggestion with received unanimous approval and thus International Women's Day was born.International Women's Day was celebrated the first time in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland on 19 March. More than one million women and men attended the rallies campaigning for women's rights to work, vote, be trained, to hold public office and end discrimination.
In 1913 following discussions, International Women's Day was transferred to 8 March and this day has remained the global date for International Wommen's Day ever since. In the same year, it further spread to other European countries.
Meanwhile in Russia women began a strike for "bread and peace" in response to the death over 2 million Russian soldiers in war. Opposed by political leaders the women continued to strike until four days later the Czar was forced to abdicate and the provisional Government granted women the right to vote. This historic day was March 8 as per the gregorian calender
With each passing year International Women's Day grew from strength to strength annually. 1975 was designated as 'International Women's Year' by the United Nations. Women's organisations and governments around the world now observe International Women's Day annually on 8 March by holding large-scale events that honour women's advancement.
International Women's Day is now an official holiday in Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, China (for women only), Cuba, Georgia, Guinea-Bissau, Eritrea, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Madagascar (for women only), Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Nepal (for women only), Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Zambia. The tradition sees men honouring their mothers, wives, girlfriends, colleagues, etc with flowers and small gifts. In some countries it has the same status as of Mother's Day where children give small presents to their mothers and grandmothers.
Annually on 8 March, thousands of events are held throughout the world to inspire women and celebrate their achievements. A global network of rich and diverse local activity connects women from all around the world ranging from political rallies, business conferences, government activities and networking events through to local women's craft markets, theatric performances, fashion parades and more.
The United States even designates the whole month of March as 'Women's History Month'.
Compiled by Smita Mishra