Women’s Day March 8: how did it appear and why is it needed? 7 Unobvious Facts

March 2, 2021

Updated March 8, 2023

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International Women’s Day is a great occasion to remind the world of the need for gender equality

This year, on March 8, the world will mark the 111th International Women’s Day.

In Russia, this is one of the most beloved and massively celebrated holidays, although its content has undergone a metamorphosis: from an ideological honoring of a woman – a leader in production and an activist – it has turned into a day of love and family values.

Outside the post-Soviet space, it is less popular, although many have heard of it, and it is recognized by the UN as a memorable date.

But why did they come up with the idea of ​​celebrating this day, and why exactly on March 8? What is it – a holiday or, rather, a protest? And what about International Men’s Day? We have tried to answer all these questions.

• March 8: International Women’s Day was marked by marches demanding equality
• Kyrgyzstan: how mathematics and space help women fight for their rights
• Gender inequality for centuries. Why women will suffer from the coronavirus crisis more than men

1.

How did it all start?

The author of the photo, Topical Press Agency

Photo caption,

Clara Zetkin suggested celebrating International Women’s Day in 1910

Like May 1, March 8 grew out of the labor movement and has American roots.

In 1908, 15,000 women in New York City demonstrated for shorter hours, higher wages, and the right to vote (in most states, women gained it in 1920 with the passage of the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution). The following year, the American Socialist Party proposed that the last Sunday in February be Labor Women’s Day.

In August 1910, the well-known leader of the German Social Democracy Clara Zetkin proposed at a conference in Copenhagen to establish an International Day for Women’s Equality and Emancipation.

About a hundred participants from 17 countries supported the idea unanimously.

In 1911 it was first celebrated in Germany, Austria-Hungary, Denmark and Switzerland.

2. Why March 8?

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Photo caption,

Demonstration in Diyarbakir, Turkey on March 8, 2016

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The demonstration in New York that started it all took place on February 28th. Clara Zetkin did not name a specific date. The first Women’s Day celebration in Germany took place on March 19 to commemorate the March Revolution of 1848 in Prussia. Then Women’s Day in different countries was celebrated on March 2, 9 and 12, as well as on May 2 and 12.

The date of March 8 came to the international left movement from Russia. In 1917, on this day (February 23, old style), a strike of workers of weaving factories of the Vyborg side in Petrograd began with the demands of “Bread and Peace!”, which grew into a revolution. A week later, the emperor abdicated.

In the early years of Soviet power, Vyborg weavers were widely celebrated as the pioneers of the overthrow of tsarism. Subsequently, the February Revolution was in the shadow of the Bolshevik October Revolution, and this circumstance was not emphasized in the USSR.

In 1975, the UN General Assembly proclaimed March 8 as a day to celebrate the achievements of women in all areas of life and protest against remnants of inequality.

3. Does March 8 have its own colors?

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Purple is often referred to as the color of International Women’s Day, as it symbolizes dignity and justice.

Yes, although they are almost unknown in Russia. These are purple (or magenta), green and white.

They were proposed as a symbol of the struggle for equality by the British Women’s Social and Political Union in 1908. Purple stands for justice and dignity, green for hope, and white for purity.

4. Is there an International Men’s Day?

Photo credit, internationalmensday.com

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International Men’s Day also exists, but has been left in the shadows March 8

Yes, it is celebrated on November 19 in more than 80 countries, including the United Kingdom, although it does not have a formal UN recognition. The emphasis is on strengthening the health of men and their modern role in the family.

It is customary in Russia to congratulate men and boys on February 23rd. Officially, this is the day of military personnel and veterans of the armed forces, but in the mass consciousness it is traditionally regarded as the day of all men.

5. How is March 8 celebrated in different countries?

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For many, March 8 is associated with mimosa

In Russia, March 8 is a public holiday. Women are given gifts and flowers – in the three or four days preceding the holiday, their sales double.

In China, women’s working hours are four hours instead of eight, but this recommendation by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China is not a law, and some employers do not follow it.

In Italy, women are given mimosa flowers on March 8th. This custom originated in Rome shortly after World War II, its source is unknown.

In the US, March is Women’s History Month. Each year, the president issues a statement recognizing the accomplishments and contributions of American women.

Many events will be held virtually this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

6. Celebration or protest?

Photo caption,

The election of Kamala Harris as Vice President of the United States was hailed as a major victory for the women’s movement

International Women’s Day 2021 has been celebrated with the hashtag #ChooseToChallenge as its slogan. The main idea is that the world throws challenges to a person, and everyone is personally responsible for their choice.

“We can all rise to the challenge of speaking out about gender bias and inequality. We can all seek out and celebrate women’s accomplishments. Together we can create a more just world,” organizers said in a statement.

7. What is it for?

Photo copyright, EPA

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The detention of women’s rights activists in Kyrgyzstan during the 2020 march was another reminder of the importance of such a struggle

“Gender equality will not be achieved for another hundred years, organizers say in a statement “None of us, and likely almost none of our children, will live to see it.”

The coronavirus pandemic has wiped out 25 years of fighting for gender equality, according to UN Women. Lockdowns have forced women around the world to do more housework and lose career and educational opportunities.

Despite the coronavirus, protest marches took place in many countries a year ago.

They were overwhelmingly peaceful, but in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek, police detained dozens of activists before they were reportedly attacked by masked men. The situation with women’s rights in the country is deteriorating, public figures say.

In Pakistan, demonstrations in several cities took place amid threats of violence and prosecution.

In Mexico City, an 80,000-strong demonstration against violence against women ended in clashes with police. Someone began to throw bottles of gasoline at law enforcement officers, who responded with tear gas. About 60 people were injured.

Recent years have seen progress in the cause of women’s equality, and the struggle for it has taken on a new dimension.

• 100 years of fighting for equality: will suffragettes be rehabilitated in Britain?

For the first time in US history, a woman of color, Kamala Harris, has become Vice President.

In 2019, a five-woman coalition government was formed in Finland.

Northern Ireland legalized abortion, Sudan repealed a law that dictated in detail how women dress and behave in public.

Finally, the #MeToo movement, launched in 2017, continues to be a global force in the fight against unacceptable sexual harassment and has secured convictions for a number of perpetrators.

Not only March 8th. What other holidays in honor of women are there in the world?

March 7, 2021

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Italian women celebrate March 8 wearing pink berets

International Women’s Day March 8 is one of the most famous gender holidays not only in Russia but also in the world. But the attitude towards it is different: somewhere it became a celebration of femininity and beauty, and somewhere – an occasion to recall the value of equality and freedom.

However, March 8 is far from the only holiday dedicated to women. All year round, all over the world and in certain countries, there are days when women are given attention. These are professional holidays, and traditional festivals, and the dates of the most important achievements in the struggle for women’s rights.

International holidays

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Mother’s Day is one of the most famous women’s holidays in the world, dedicated to motherhood and the role of mothers in society. It is celebrated in more than 40 countries, most of which fall on the second Sunday in May.

In the United States, Mother’s Day became a national holiday in 1914 through the efforts of Anna Jarvis. Her campaign to have such a day celebrated at the state level began with the sad death of her mother, civic activist Anna Maria Jarvis, who fought for better healthcare.

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Anna Maria Jarvis created a network of women’s organizations

Anna Maria created a network of women’s organizations in America known as Mother’s Day Workers’ Clubs to help those in need get needed medicines and fought to improve medicine.

US President Woodrow Wilson agreed to make Mother’s Day a public holiday – and dozens of countries around the world followed America’s example. In many states, it is he who is still considered the main women’s holiday.

In Russia, Mother’s Day is celebrated on the last Sunday of November, and this holiday is not connected with American traditions. In 1998, All-Russian Mother’s Day was introduced by decree of President Boris Yeltsin “in order to increase the social significance of motherhood.”

October 15 is another international holiday called International Rural Women’s Day . Such a day was officially introduced by the UN General Assembly in 2007, the resolution of which noted “the critical role of rural women, including women belonging to indigenous peoples, and their contribution to accelerating the development of agriculture and rural areas.”

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Nepalese winnowers clean rice the way their ancestors did for centuries.

At the moment, the International Day of Rural Women is primarily a day when the UN discusses the problems of women in agriculture. For example, last year officials talked about “Increasing the resilience of rural women during the Covid-19 pandemic.”

In various countries of the world there are many professional women’s holidays in various fields of activity. For example, June 23 is International Day for Women in Engineering. It was first established by the community of women engineers in Britain in 2014, and in 2016 was recognized by UNESCO and became international a year later. This day is dedicated to the achievements of women in the field of engineering and the promotion of the role of women in this profession.

USA

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American women have been campaigning for absolute equality between men and women for decades

August 26 is Women’s Equality Day in the United States. The date was not chosen by chance: in 1920, on this day, the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution was approved, which granted women active suffrage. Thus, the long-term struggle of suffragettes for giving women the right to vote was crowned with success.

The holiday was first celebrated in 1972 when President Richard Nixon issued a proclamation declaring August 26 as Women’s Equality Day. “Despite the importance of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, it did not become an occasion to end the struggle of women for full rights in our society. On the contrary, it drew even more attention to those rights that have not yet been implemented,” the document says.

Japan

Japan does not officially celebrate International Women’s Day, but March 3rd is celebrated as Hinamatsuri, or Girls’ Day, also known as Doll Day. On this day, the Japanese pray for the health and happiness of girls. The first references to Hinamatsuri date back to the Heian period in Japanese history (794-1185).

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Stores across Japan are also celebrating the holiday by building pyramids with puppets to attract shoppers.

On Girls’ Day, Japanese families with daughters set up multi-tiered platforms covered with red cloth in their homes, on which handmade dolls are seated. The dolls are arranged in a special way – by seniority, with the most expensive dolls, symbolizing empresses, on the first level, court ladies on the second, court musicians on the third, and so on.

It is customary in Japan to invite guests and set the table on this holiday. Girls are dressed in traditional kimonos and treated to sweets. Although in the past the festival was dedicated only to girls, in recent years it has become a celebration for women of all ages.

Armenia

Day of motherhood and beauty in Armenia is also celebrated on April 7th. In the 1990s, after the declaration of independence, the country discussed the issue of removing March 8 from the number of public holidays and replacing it with Mother’s Day. As a result, both holidays are celebrated.

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Last year in Yerevan, police distributed flowers to women on April 7

Motherhood and beauty day in Armenia coincides with the feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin, which is celebrated by the Apostolic Church. On this day, many pregnant women go to church to receive a blessing.

South Africa

August 9 is National Women’s Day in South Africa. This day is dedicated to a memorable event in the history of the country: then at 19In 1956, more than 20,000 women marched outside the government building in Pretoria to protest against apartheid laws. The women stood outside the government building for 30 minutes in silence, after which they sang a song, the title of which can be translated as “When you raised your hand against a woman, you hit a rock.”

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In 2016, women in South Africa celebrated the anniversary of a march that is considered a milestone in the fight for women’s rights in that country

S 1995 National Women’s Day is considered a public holiday in South Africa and is celebrated every year. In 2006, in honor of the 50th anniversary of this event, women in Pretoria held a massive march.

Mozambique

National Women’s Day in Mozambique is celebrated on April 7, also known as Mozambican Woman’s Day. The holiday was established in memory of the national heroine Josina Machel, who died on that day in 1971.

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“No one is sexier than a feminist man,” reads a poster by a Mozambique activist who took to the streets against sexual violence against women

role in the country’s struggle for independence.

On this day, Mozambican women dance and sing to traditional music, and residents of the capital Maputo bring flowers to the Monument of Heroes.

Tunisia

August 13 is National Women’s Day in Tunisia. In 1956, on this day, the Code of Personal Status was adopted, recognizing women as subjects of law. The code adopted by Prime Minister Habib Bourguiba abolished polygamy, introduced a judicial procedure for divorce, and made the mutual consent of both partners to marriage a prerequisite for marriage.

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In Tunisia, not all women wear traditional Berber clothing, but these participants found it appropriate for the National Women’s Day event

On Women’s Day 2018, President Beji Caid Essebsi announced his intention to give women equal rights to inheritance as men. This caused fierce controversy in society, and the law was never approved by Parliament.

Latin America

July 25th is International Afro-Latin American, Afro-Caribbean and African Women’s Day in Latin America. This day was first celebrated in 1992, when the Dominican Republic hosted the first summit of African-Latin American and Afro-Caribbean women from 32 countries in the region. The main theme of this meeting was the fight against racism and sexism.

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Machismo is part of traditional culture in many Latin American countries, but more and more women are rejecting it

An organization called the Afro-Latin American and Afro-Caribbean Diaspora Network was formed on the same day women, which fights discrimination based on race and gender in Latin American countries.

Today, this date continues to serve as an occasion to draw attention to the problems of black women in Latin America.

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March 8 is still celebrated in Latin America. For example, in Brazil, women go out to protest on this day

According to the UN, the level of violence against women in this region is one of the highest in the world: 20 million women and girls become its victims every year. The pandemic has exacerbated their situation: in Venezuela alone, according to human rights activists, the number of murders of women increased by 65% ​​in April last year, and in Colombia, the number of registered cases of domestic violence increased by 50%.