Why is International Women's Day important? What activities are happening around Auckland for people (like me) to learn and gain more perspective?
International Women's Day is important because it is a day for us to remember those who have fought hard in the past, so that we can enjoy civil liberties today - such as the right to vote; to own property, to work, to be treated equally in the eyes of the law, etc. It's also an opportunity to celebrate women's achievements and to help forge a more gender-balanced world. Women have come a long way, yet there is still more to be achieved.
According to Wikipedia: "the earliest Women's Day observance, called "National Woman's Day,"[5] was held on February 28, 1909 in New York, organized by the Socialist Party of America. In the following years the movement spread across to Europe with demonstrations in Denmark, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, London honouring martyrs and calling for universal suffrage.
On March 8, 1917 (in the gregorian calendar), in the capital of the Russian Empire, Petrograd, women textile workers began a demonstration, covering the whole city. This marked the beginning of the February Revolution, which alongside the October Revolution made up the Russian Revolution.[18][3]Women in St Petersburg went on strike that day for "Bread and Peace" – demanding the end of World War I, an end to Russian food shortages, and the end of czarism.
The United Nations began celebrating International Women's Day in the International Women's Year, 1975. In 1977, the United Nations General Assembly invited member states to proclaim March 8 as the UN Day for women's rights and world peace.[20]"
For Fellow Women Rotarians, let us not forget that our acceptance into Rotary Clubs only happened in 1987!!
In Auckland, organisations such as ZONTA, GLOBAL WOMEN and ROTARY are holding events to celebrate International Women's Day and Women in Rotary.
ZONTA - will have speakers & presentations between 12:30-1:30pm at Ellen Melville Center, 1 Freyberg Place in CBD on 8th March (free)
GLOBAL WOMEN - will present speakers at Auckland War Memorial Museum from 5:30-7:30pm on 6th March (go to Eventbrite for tickets $72)
ROTARY - 30 years of Women in Rotary on Saturday 6th April a special event is to be organised for all Rotarians in Districts 9910 and 9920 (stay tuned for more info).
Come out and join in the celebrations!