The whole world celebrates International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8. This is to highlight the economic, political and social achievements of women. The first International Women’s Day was observed in 1911 (Next year 2011, will be observed as a completion of 100 years). United Nations (U.N) designated the year 1975 as ‘International Women’s Year’.
This year the theme of IWD is Equal rights, equal opportunities – Progress for all.
IWD is also observed as an official holiday in China, Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.
Here are some of the global United Nation themes of IWD for the previous years:
- 2009: Women and men united to end violence against women and girls
- 2008: Investing in Women and Girls
- 2007: Ending Impunity for Violence against Women and Girls
- 2006: Women in decision-making
- 2005: Gender Equality Beyond 2005: Building a More Secure Future
- 2004: Women and HIV/AIDS
- 2003: Gender Equality and the Millennium Development Goals
- 2002: Afghan Women Today: Realities and Opportunities
- 2001: Women and Peace: Women Managing Conflicts
- 2000: Women Uniting for Peace
- 1999: World Free of Violence against Women
- 1998: Women and Human Rights
- 1997: Women at the Peace Table
- 1996: Celebrating the Past, Planning for the Future
- 1975: First IWD celebrated by the United Nations
For more details, log on to International Women’s Day.
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Nice post and very happy woman’s day