International Women's Day (IWD) is a globally recognized annual event that celebrates the progress and achievements of women in different fields, and advocates for further advancements in their rights. The roots of IWD go back to the early 20th century in the US, as women were fighting for better working conditions and the right to vote. In 1911, the first recorded IWD celebration took place in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland, with over a million people rallying to support women's rights.
Since then, IWD has grown in size and scope, with a focus on issues ranging from violence against women to parity in the workplace. While the United Nations has played a significant role in recognizing and celebrating IWD since 1977, it is usually decentralised, with celebrations taking place around the world.
This year, the UN's theme for IWD is DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality, highlighting the importance of technology in advancing women's rights and addressing the digital gender gap. According to the UN, 259 million fewer women than men have access to the internet, and women are underrepresented in STEM careers.
Celebrating IWD is vital as it helps raise awareness of the rights gaps that women face globally, including poverty and violence. Nearly one in three women worldwide is subjected to physical or sexual violence during her lifetime, which is an issue tied to women's economic opportunities, access to sex education and reproductive rights. In recent years, there has been a push to make IWD more inclusive of marginalized women, including racialised women, transgender, non-binary and gender non-conforming people.
IWD is not only an opportunity to highlight the challenges that women face but also to celebrate progress and achievements. It serves as a reminder that the fight for gender equality is ongoing and requires continued efforts to bring about lasting change.
In conclusion, IWD is an essential global event that recognizes the progress and achievements of women while advocating for further advancements in their rights. With a focus on technology, gender equality, and inclusivity, it serves as a reminder that there is still a long way to go in achieving true gender equality.
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