Next March 8TH marks the 100th anniversary of the International Women’s Day, an occasion to celebrate the advances in gender equality, but also to address the many defeats that must be overcome so that women can finally achieve the stature they deserve.
The International Women’s Day began in the 20th century, when American female workers began to rally to express the issues they had with their treatment; they were given less working hours, wanted an increase in pay, and the right to vote. This movement was amplified, thus the international women’s conference was held in 1910, the journalist Clara Zetkin created the idea of having a day for women.
This year, the theme for the International Women’s day is about equality in terms of access to education, training and technology, so that women have access to decent jobs. According to a report in 2005 by the Indian Ministry of Health and the Family, Indian women have two times less of a chance at finding work then men. Among those who work, most are employed far from their homes, in general in the agriculture sector, and 1/3 of them do not receive acceptable pay in return for their work.
In celebration of this day there are conferences, manifestations, and events organized worldwide; it is a manner of giving women honor. Above all though, this day acts as an exchange of ideas and advice for improving the situation of Indian women and women worldwide, and to construct a more equal world.
