International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8 every year.[3] It commemorates the movement for women's rights The first observance of a Women's Day was held on February 28, 1909 in New York, March 8 was suggested by the 1910 International Woman's Conference to become an "International Woman's Day." After women gained suffrage in Soviet Russia in 1917, March 8 became a national holiday there. The day was then predominantly celebrated by the socialist movement and communist countries until it was adopted in 1975 by the United Nations.
This day has been set aside to celebrate and observe the many accomplishments of women who were previously seen as “the weaker sex”. Researching this blog, it was interesting to see how this day is being observed by other countries and private companies. For instance, in India, National carrier Air India has said it has operated a flight on the Kolkata-Dimapur-Kolkata sector on Monday, with an all-women cockpit and cabin crew as part of its celebration of International Women's Day. According to a release issued by the airlines, the flight AI709, an Airbus 319, was flagged off by Air India's General Manager, Personnel, Navneet Sidhu, along with other senior officials at the city airport — rolling out the events planned by Air India Eastern Region to commemorate the International Women's Day.
Also, to mark International Women's Day on Thursday, Barbie is releasing a slate of new dolls, including one of Olympic gold medalist Chloe Kim. Barbie announced in a statement it will release 17 new dolls that honor "historical and modern-day role models from around the world." The new line of inspiring dolls includes Bindi Irwin, director Patty Jenkins, pilot Amelia Earhart, artist Frida Kahlo and other empowering female role models. This is a far cry from the form-figured barbie of yesteryear. I’m so excited to see these.
This movement is a great example of the small world that we live in. For all these accomplishments listed above, women still suffer from injustice worldwide. For example, in Saudi Arabia, women can’t drive. In the United States, there is a Gender Pay Gap where women are paid 82% of what a man makes, and in the African country of Lesotho, women are unable to own or inherit land. These injustices are items that women are still fighting for and battle. Today is a great day to think of all we have accomplished as women, but there is still much work to be done! #IWD2018
Sources:
Wikipedia, ABC News, NBC News, the Quint.