International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated annually on March 8th to honor women’s achievements, highlight gender inequalities, and advocate for women’s rights.

History of International Women’s Day

The IWD dates back more than a century. It was first observed in the United States on February 28, 1909, organized by the Socialist Party of America. It was created to commemorate the 1908 garment workers’ strike in New York, where women workers protested against poor working conditions and low wages.

In 1910, an International Women’s Conference was held in Copenhagen, Denmark, where Clara Zetkin, a German socialist leader, proposed the idea of an annual International Women’s Day. The proposal was unanimously adopted by the conference, and the first International Women’s Day was celebrated in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland on March 19, 1911.

In the following years, IWD was celebrated on different dates in different countries and was marked by rallies and demonstrations. During World War I, IWD was used to protest against the war and to express solidarity with working-class women across the world.

United Nations recognized March 8th on 1975 as International Women’s Day. It has been celebrated globally since then. This day highlights to recognize the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women and to advocate for gender equality.

2019-2023 IWD Themes

2019: “#BalanceforBetter” – highlights promoting gender balance in all areas of life, from the boardroom to government to media coverage and beyond.
2020: “#EachforEqual” – aimed to highlight the importance of individual actions in creating a gender-equal world and emphasized that every person has a role to play in promoting gender equality.
2021: “#ChoosetoChallenge” – this theme called on individuals to challenge gender bias and inequality and to take action to create a more inclusive world.
2022: “#BreakTheBias” – it emphasizes that we are all responsible for our own thoughts and actions, and encourages individuals to work towards breaking biases in their communities, workplaces, and educational institutions. The theme highlights that everyone has a role to play in promoting gender equality. By working together, we can break biases and create a more inclusive society.
2023: “#EmbraceEquity” – campaign seeks to highlight that true inclusion and belonging require not just equal opportunities, but equitable action. This means acknowledging and addressing the different circumstances and needs of different individuals and groups, and providing the exact resources and opportunities needed to achieve equal outcomes. Read more on IWD Website.
2023: Theme by UN – “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality” – Despite the widespread use of technology, 37% of women do not use the internet and 259 million fewer women than men have access to it. This lack of access to technology hinders women’s opportunities to pursue careers in STEM fields and leads to massive costs from their lack of inclusion. The observance highlights the importance of bringing women into technology and protecting their rights in digital spaces, while exploring the impact of the digital gender gap on social and economic inequalities. Read more on UN Website.

Significance of IWD in Various Countries

This day in Pakistan has its own importance. It gives an opportunity to show the challenges faced by women in the country. Also, it motivates them to advocate for their rights. In Pakistan, many females have to face discrimination in many ways. This may include limited access to education and healthcare or gender-based violence and unequal opportunities when hiring staff.

IWD is celebrated in Pakistan with rallies, marches, and other events organized by civil society groups, women’s rights organizations, and political parties. These events aim to raise awareness about gender inequality, empower women, and demand equal rights and opportunities for women in all spheres of life.

Women’s March (Aurat March)

The date varies each year and is typically held on or around International Women’s Day on March 8th. The Aurat March is a grassroots movement that started in Pakistan in 2018 and has since spread to other countries, including India, Bangladesh, and the United Kingdom. The movement seeks to raise awareness about issues facing women in South Asia, such as gender-based violence, discrimination, and lack of representation in politics and public life. The marches usually take place in major cities across the region and are attended by thousands of people.

My body, my choice (Mera Jism Mere Marzi)

“Mera Jism Mere Marzi” is a slogan that has been used in Pakistan and other countries to advocate for women’s bodily autonomy and the right to make their own choices about their bodies. The slogan translates to “My body, my choice” in English.

The slogan gained prominence in Pakistan during the Aurat March (Women’s March) in 2019, where women’s rights activists and supporters marched across the country to demand gender equality and an end to violence against women. The slogan was used on placards and banners to express the idea that women should have the right to make decisions about their bodies, including their reproductive health and sexual choices, without interference or coercion.

The Aurat March in Pakistan faced backlash in 2020 from conservative and religious groups, who criticized the march for being “un-Islamic” and promoting vulgarity, immorality and western values. Despite this, the march went ahead as planned, with thousands of women taking to the streets in various cities across Pakistan. Some critics have also misunderstood the slogan to mean that women are promoting promiscuity, which is not the intended message of the slogan.

Not just a Bride

Seminar held on 08 March 2023 at Qurban & Surraya Educational Trust, Lahore, Pakistan, is about creating awareness in finding a purpose in the lives of female educaters as well as all students. Girls from the birth are told to be a bride. This notion shold be discouraged. Girls should not be raised with this tought that the only goal of their life is to be a bride of someone. It will help women to identify real purpose of their lives. It is to leave their family and friends with more hope, love, and emotional resources than they had before. They should not waste their lives and should recognize the importance of it. They can be an example to others by achiving their goals and living their passion.

Rallies and Marches in India

2022: #WomenLeadTheWay – a focus on promoting women’s leadership and empowerment. In Delhi, a march was organized by the Women’s Development Cell of the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and several other women’s groups.
2021: #ChooseToChallenge – inviting all to make a personal commitment to call out gender bias and inequality to create a more inclusive world. A march was organized by the West Bengal Commission for Women and the state government’s Department of Women and Child Development and Social Welfare in Kolkata.
2020:#EachForEqual – a focus on promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment. In Mumbai, a march was organized by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and several women’s groups.
2019: #BalanceforBetter – a focus on achieving gender balance and equality. In Bangalore, a march was organized by the Women’s Initiative for Peace in South Asia (WIPSA) and several other women’s organizations.
2018: #PressforProgress – a focus on accelerating gender parity. In Delhi, a march was organized by the National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW) and several other women’s groups. Thousands of women across India participated in the “Bharat Bandh” protest as well to demand an end to gender-based violence, discrimination, and harassment in the workplace and elsewhere.

Root Causes of Gender Inequality and Discrimination Against Women

There could be many reasons of women being treated unequally and discriminated against men. The reasons can vary in accordance with cultur, social, economic and/or politics related factors. In this article, few of them have been discussed below:

Patriarchy: It is a social system where men hold primary power and authority over women. They don’t take women’s say in decision-making and leadership roles. This social system maintains gender stereotypes that reinforces the idea that men are superior to women.
Gender stereotypes: They are beliefs and attitudes about what is appropriate behavior and characteristics for men and women. These stereotypes can lead to discriminatory attitudes and behaviors towards women, such as the belief that women are weak, emotional, and not suited for leadership roles.
Economic factors: Women are often concentrated in low-paying jobs and face barriers to economic opportunities and financial independence, which can make them economically dependent on men. This dependency can make them vulnerable to abuse and discrimination.
Lack of education: In many parts of the world, women have limited access to education, which can limit their opportunities for employment, leadership roles, and decision-making. This lack of education also perpetuates gender stereotypes and norms.
Legal and policy barriers: Discriminatory laws and policies, such as those that restrict women’s mobility, access to healthcare, and property rights, can limit women’s opportunities and perpetuate gender inequality.
Cultural and religious beliefs: Cultural and religious beliefs can also contribute to the marginalization and discrimination of women, as some beliefs and practices may reinforce traditional gender roles and restrict women’s freedom and autonomy.

It is important to address and challenge these underlying factors that contribute to gender inequality and discrimination against women. This can be achieved through education, advocacy, policy change, and community engagement.