Events
International Women's Day
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
Reflect, think ahead, move forward…
Reflect - past struggles and achievements
On March 8th and throughout the whole of the month, International Women's Day is celebrated in many countries around the world. Emerging from the labour struggles of factory women in North America and across Europe, the first International Women's Day was designated in 1909 in USA, followed in 1910 by the Copenhagen initiative, then was followed through each successive year by other countries; memorably in Russia in 1917. Women against the backdrop of war protested for 'Bread and Peace' and ultimately were given the right to vote.
As Julia Moore notes in her article 'Profile and Progress: Landmarks along the Gender Journey' International Women's Day was well established long before the rise of 1960's strident feminism. In 1945 the United Nations Charter was the first international agreement to endorse in principal, equality between men and women and over the years the UN and its subsidiary agencies have promoted equal partnerships toward peace and security. In 1975 the UN endorsed an International Women's Day in recognition of the woman's vital role in society.
Think ahead - toward shared goals
For many years International Women's Day has been themed by the United Nations. Some countries and regions adopt the theme, others choose their own. The themes are weighty, and rightly so. Ranging from 'Uniting for Peace' to 'Investing in Women and Girls' Global issues of HIV/Aids and Violence against Women have been tackled and one which threads through several years is that of Equal Rights for Women.
This year is no exception. The United Nations suggested theme for 2010 is
'Equal rights, equal opportunities: Progress for all'
The fact that this is a recurrent theme is telling and Kate Cobb's career article this month addresses this. The famous Margaret Thatcher quote comes to mind "If your only opportunity is to be equal then it is not opportunity." Women have come out of the doll's house, we've swept the factory floor, we've become board members - but only within limitations.
We are moving from the domestic to the global, we have a day dedicated to us. The General Assembly cited two reasons for celebrating International Women's Day:
' 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.
Move forward - the future is in our hands
Yet International Women's Day is so much more, it's a symbolic celebration: to forge new networks, to accept new challenges, to dream new dreams…
The Riviera Woman has done just that. In this past week transatlantic links have been established with highly motivated inspirational American women. Through commonality of goals and spirit we have formed burgeoning friendships and support which will nurture and grow:
The Riviera Woman readers epitomize all that international women stand for: strength, intelligence, humour, compassion and an overwhelming sincere desire to make the world a better place.
As the Fat Black Woman poet Grace Nichols' memorably wrote,
Go to your wide futures…
The Riviera Woman and the European Professional Women's Network invite you to a...
Enter our International Women's Day COMPETITION!