International Women’s Day will be observed at the United Nations on 8 March
This year’s theme is “Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities: Progress for All”
(…) In 1977 the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution inviting Member States to proclaim a United Nations Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace – International Women’s Day – to be observed on any day of the year in accordance with their historical and national traditions. Since then, the United Nations Organization has observed March 8th as International Women’s Day. The purpose of this day is to recognize the fact that securing peace and social progress and the full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms require the active participation, equality and development of women; and to acknowledge the contribution of women to the strengthening of international peace and security.
For the women of the world, the symbolism of International Women’s Day has a wider meaning: It 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 mobilize for meaningful change.
http://www.unifem.org/campaigns/csw/international-womens-day/
See also: http://www.un.org/events/women/iwd/2009/
Courtesy : Behram Pastakia
I’m so glad that you highlighted the history of this oft forgotten holiday. The role of women is so often neglected and not discussed both by the public and by the news media. This years theme of promoting equality and progress in the realm of women’s rights is a noble one and will hopefully be an active goal of the UN. Stefanie Babst, NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy, recently wrote a piece on the actions NATO is taking to support women’s rights as well as how they are trying to participate in the UN Resolution on Women, Peace, and Security. If you want to take a look you can find the article here (http://www.atlantic-community.org/index/articles/view/NATO%27s_Women). Also NATO will be hosting an online panel discussion to discuss these topics on International Women’s Day.