International Women's Day Deserves More Attention

International Woman's Day began in the early 1900s as International Working Women’s Day to recognize women's value in all aspects of society.


julie maas ~ nightslantern.ca



Today over 100 countries around the world celebrate this event on March 8th, many as a national holiday. Canada is one of those countries that has recognized its importance after 1977 when the United Nations General Assembly invited member states to proclaim March 8th as the UN Day for Women's Rights and International Peace — but Canada has not as yet created a holiday for it.

The struggle for gender equality and autonomy is far from over, and everyone of us (men and women) need to address discrimination in the workplace and reduce the salary gap with male counterparts. Today, in Canada, women have more rights in 2012 than they did a century ago, but more needs to be done.
Each year around the world during International Women's Day (IWD), thousands of events occur not just on this day but throughout the month of March marking the economic, political and social achievements of women.

The theme this year is 'Connecting girls, inspiring futures'. The idea is to develop the power and potential of young girls to be change agents for a better world. Would it not be great if this opportunity led to the creation of a nonkilling world without wars? That would be the fulfilment of the ultimate human right.

Girls and women, let's join with boys and men around the globe to make a real difference in our world. If we work together with a firm resolve to make everyday International Women's Day, surely we will overcome much of the violence, wars, corruption, and inequality that presently plagues our world.