International Women’s Day is celebrated in many countries around the world on 8th of March. It was first born out of labour movements at the turn of the twentieth century in North America and across Europe.
Australia’s first International Women’s Day was held in 1928 in Sydney and was organised by the Militant Women’s Movement, who called for equal pay for equal work, an 8 hour working day for shop girls and paid leave. The next year, the event spread to Brisbane. In 1931, annual marches were launched in both Sydney and Melbourne and they continue to be held today.
The growing international women’s movement has helped make International Women’s Day a central point for action, to build support for women’s rights and their full participation in the economy, politics, community and in everyday life.
International Women’s Day is an occasion to review how far women have come in their struggle for equality, peace and development. It is also an opportunity to unite, network and mobilise for meaningful change.
This year’s theme is #EmbraceEquity with organisers and events seeking to “challenge gender stereotypes, call out discrimination, draw attention to bias, and seek out inclusion”.
Additional information can be found at: https://www.internationalwomensday.com and https://unwomen.org.au .
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