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INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY - THE HISTORY AND SIGNIFICANCE

International Women's Day is celebrated on March 8th every year being that it's
a principal point in the movement for women's rights. Today, International Women's Day is a public holiday in some countries and predominantly ignored in some other countries. In some places, it is a day of protest; in others, it is a day that celebrates womanhood. It's a call to action for everyone to continue to push for complete gender equality.

The early 20th century was a time women were becoming more active in their protests against oppression and gender inequality, leading campaigns to demand equal rights. According to the the official International Women's Day website, during the International Conference of Working Women in 1910, Clara Zetkin of Germany's Social Democratic Party proposed a day to be set aside every year across the world to celebrate women and reinforce their demands.

The proposal was accepted and put into practice, starting in Germany and Europe and spreading across the globe subsequently. The day was then largely cerebrated by the socialist movement and communist countries until it was adopted in 1975 by the United Nations.

Every year a new theme is initiated by the UN and this year, the theme for International Women's Day was: Think equal, build smart and innovate for change. The focal point of the theme is on innovative ways in which to advance gender equality and the empowerment of women particularly in the areas of social protection systems; access to public services and sustainable infrastructure.

In some countries such as Afghanistan, Angola, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, China, Cuba, Georgia, Russia, Uganda, Ukraine, Vietnam, Zambia etc. - it is an official holiday.

In some other countries like Bulgaria, Cameroon, Croatia Chile and Romania; the day is not a public holiday but it's widely observed nevertheless. On this day, it is customary for men to give the women in their lives - friends, mothers, girlfriends, wives, daughters, colleagues etc. - flowers and small gifts.

In 1975, the United Nations announced that International Women's Day would be an official day of observance for all of its member countries.

Official Color - Purple is the recognized color to symbolize women while the combination of the colors green, purple and white is meant to represent women's equality. These colors may be displayed to celebrate International Women's Day.

The city state of Berlin marked International Women's Day as a public holiday for the first time.

The very first International Women's Day was observed in March 8th, 1914.


Additionally, International Men's Day is an annual event celebrated across the globe on 19th November to improve gender relations and promote unity.  It is a day to celebrate the positive value men bring to the world, their families and communities.




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