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INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY 2008 Today, 8 March 2008, Socialist
International Women proudly celebrates International Women's
Day. The concept of an International
Women's Day was formed in the early part of the 20th century
when many demonstrations over poor working conditions began
to take place. Most notably on 8 March 1908, fifteen thousand
women took to the streets of New York City in protest to demand
shorter working hours, better pay, the right to vote and an
end to child labour. They adopted the slogan "Bread and
Roses," the bread symbolising economic security whilst
the word roses stood for a better quality of life. This protest, together
with many others, was the inspiration which led the Second International
Conference of Socialist Women (now the Socialist International
Women) in Copenhagen in 1910, to adopt a resolution demanding
a day in the year to commemorate International Women's Day.
As a result of the decision taken at Copenhagen, one year later
an International Women's Day was established for the first time
in many European countries, including Austria, Denmark, Germany
and Switzerland and throughout the years, many more countries
were to follow. The Socialist International
Women, from its very beginning, has always advocated for women
to participate in politics, but unfortunately there is still
a long way to go. According to the Inter-Parliamentary Union
(IPU) women's representation in national parliaments is only
a mere 17.3% worldwide, and in cabinet positions the percentage
of women ministers is even lower. For this reason, International
Women's Day, should be a day to encourage women and men to continue
the struggle for democracy and equality for all. The United Nations (UN)
has also played an important role in shaping International Women's
Day. In 1975, during International Women's Year, the UN began
celebrating 8 March as International Women's Day. Two years
later, in December 1977, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution
proclaiming a United Nations Day for Women's Rights and International
Peace to be observed on any day of the year by Member States,
in accordance with their historical and national traditions. The International Women's
Day is also a day to honour those women who have stood out and
who have shown courage in the struggle for an equal world for
all. It is on this occasion that the Socialist International
Women would like to pay tribute to Benazir Bhutto - a political
leader who dedicated her life to peace and democracy in Pakistan
and who showed enormous courage in returning to her country
to participate in the elections, knowing fully well the challenges
and dangers that awaited her and sadly cost her her life. On International Women's
Day it is also vital to highlight the end to violence against
women. Violence against women is not acceptable, can never be
justified and cannot be tolerated. For this very reason Socialist
International Women supports the UN campaign 'Unite to End Violence
Against Women' launched by the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon,
on the occasion of the 52nd session of the Commission on the
Status of Women, in New York, 25 February 2008. This campaign
will continue until 2015 to coincide with the target date for
the Millennium Development Goals. To conclude, Socialist International Women strongly believes that International Women's Day is a global day to come together to celebrate women's diversity and the progress that has been achieved so far. It is also a day to honour those women who have made a difference and a day to inspire women and men to continue the struggle for peace, democracy, justice and equality for all.
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Executive
Committee Statutes
Brief History Quota
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