International Women’s Day 2022: History, theme and significance
The contribution of women in making the world a better place is undeniable. They push themselves every day beyond stigmas and fight barriers to prove themselves. To celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women, the concept of International Women’s Day came into being. The day also serves as a call to action for achieving gender parity. Globally, there is a lot of activity as people join together to celebrate women's accomplishments or to march for women's equality.
How did International Women’s Day come into existence?
The United Nations designated 1975 as International Women's Year (IWY). Since then, March 8 has been chosen as International Women's Day, and the United Nations Decade for Women was established from 1976 to 1985.
What is the theme for International Women’s Day 2022?
Women have continued to make great inroads in almost every sphere of life since the last two centuries. Hence, the International Women’s Day has been celebrated with a particular theme every year. No matter what their accomplishments, women continue to face judgements and bias even while having come so far in their journey. #BreakTheBias is the campaign theme for International Women's Day 2022. Bias, whether intentional or unintentional, makes it difficult for women to advance. It's not enough to be aware that bias exists. To level the playing field, action is required. The theme for International Women’s Day 2022 hopes to create a diverse, equitable, and inclusive world for women where their differences will be valued and celebrated.
A brief history of International Women’s Day
Women were becoming increasingly vocal and involved in lobbying for change as a result of their oppression and injustice. In 1908, 15,000 women marched through New York City, demanding shorter working hours, higher pay, and voting rights. In 1910, Copenhagen hosted the second International Conference of Working Women. Clara Zetkin, leader of the Social Democratic Party's 'Women's Office' in Germany, proposed the idea of an International Women's Day. She recommended that every year on the same day, Women's Day, a celebration be held in every country to fight for their demands. Over 100 women from 17 countries, representing unions, socialist parties, working women's organisations, and including the first three women elected to the Finnish parliament, unanimously approved Zetkin's proposal, and so International Women's Day was born.
International Women's Day was originally observed on March 19, 1911, in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland, following a decision reached in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1911. Soon after, it was decided that International Women's Day would be observed yearly on March 8, which corresponded to February 23 in the widely used Gregorian calendar, and this date has been the global date for International Women's Day ever since.
Which colours are associated with International Women's Day?
The colours of International Women's Day are purple, green, and white. Purple is the colour of justice and dignity. Green is the colour of hope. White is a controversial concept that denotes purity. The colours were created in 1908 by the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) in the United Kingdom.