1869 British MP John Stuart Mill called for women’s right to vote.
On 19 September 1893 New Zealand became the first country to give women the right to vote. Women in other countries to campaign for their equality
In 1910 at the International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen a woman named Clara Zetkin (Leader of the ‘Women’s Office’ for the Social Democratic Party in Germany) put forward the idea of an International Women’s Day. She proposed that in every country annually there should be a celebration – a Women’s Day – which not only is a day of celebration of injustices already fought by women but also a day to have their voices heard. Zetkin’s suggestion was unanimously approved and International Women’s Day was born.
Success of the first International Women’s Day in 1911 exceeded all expectations. Women everywhere engaged with the campaign. The largest street demonstration was made up of 30,000 women.
In 1913 International Women’s Day was transferred to 8 March and this day has remained. It is also worth considering that International Women’s Day is a national holiday in China, Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.
What is International Women’s Day?
Annually on 8 March, events are held throughout the world with the key aims of inspiring women and celebrating women’s achievements across history. It is these well thought out and inspiring events which unite women around the world.
We should all join together to make a difference for women not just in the University of Derby but also locally. It is important that we establish good links with women’s support services around Derby and we must strive to not only make a difference close to home but also globally, as women face inequalities around the world daily.
Do your bit to ensure that women have equality, safety and are recognised for all of their achievements. Please e-mail me with any ideas on how we can make a difference this International Women’s Day on the 8th March 2010.
(image source: Flickr by rinoplatania)
Its appalling that even in this day and age and after all these years, that women in work are NOT treated equally. Many times women are asked to perform duties on an equal footing with men and probably have far more to lose. Most women these days have children, a home to look after and hold down a job. Why then are men paid far more for doing far less? Children in High Schools are encouraged to participate in activities once thought of as gender related; Im cetain that those same expectations of equality will follow once they are at work. What a shame that the girls will be sorely dissapointed and find that given opportunities to work in a mans world, they will not recieve the same recogntion and pay as men.
Hi – hope you had a good debate. How did it go and what was the result?