8th of March: International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day is widely celebrated across the world. It represents gender equality and the same rights for both men and women. It gives focus to issues such as reproductive rights and violence and abuse against women. But how did it start and do we have equal rights everywhere?

Let’s find out about its history: The first move was in the USA in 1908 – that is only 118 years ago. It was done by women who had worked in factories at that time. Ladies marched for shorter working hours, higher pay and last but not least the right to vote, which was successfully approved by the government. The second movement for women’s rights was in Russia in 1917 during WW1. Women protested for “bread and peace” as many people were starving and fighting. They gained the right to vote as well.

Why is it important?

Could you imagine modern days without women? Probably not, because, luckily, most women in the countries we come from are allowed to do the same things as men nowadays.

However, International Women’s Day also serves as a reminder that women still face problems such as violence, sadly often domestic abuse, and men are feeling in control of the family. It is not uncommon to see a couple arguing and the man, in a burst of emotions, hitting something: First it is a plate or a wall, second it might be a woman.

Another issue is discrimination: even though in many countries girls are allowed to do the same things as boys, there is still a lot of social judgement. People like to mind other people’s business quite often, so if they see a girl doing a “boy” sport they will probably judge her.

In general, this day reminds us about the problems many girls and women in the world still face – even close to home – but it also shows us how far we have come already and that we can achieve even more for females if we – males and females – stand together for equal rights and opportunities.