International Women’s Day is joyously celebrated all over the world on March 8th every year. It is an important day for women all over the globe, as the citizens of the world honour their amazing achievements in social, domestic, economic and government-related fields. In many countries such as Russia and China, the International Women’s Day is declared as national holiday.

History of IWD

This unique Day (IWD) was celebrated for the very first time in 1911 at Copenhagen city in Denmark. Some countries honoured International Women’s Day on the 19th of March 1911, which includes Germany, Austria and Switzerland. During the early period, almost 1.5 million people attended special rallies and campaigns related to International Women’s Day, raising grave topics such as woman’s basic right to work, her right to vote, the right of women to hold primary public official positions, etc. The 1911 IWD also introduced the first women centric ‘Bread and Roses’ crusade.

Present Year International Women’s Day Celebrations

The global celebrations of IWD highlighted the Beijing Platform for Action that draws attention to 12 major issues such as women’s rights to exercise their choices in a free independent way, their active participation in forming government (in their respective countries), right to education, right to earn or secure an income, right to live in a violent free society without gender discrimination. The UN theme for IWD focuses on the Beijing Campaign and other such projects, which aims to empower women and make significant changes in abolishing gender inequality and violence towards women.

IWD New York and Manhattan Rally

It was heartening to see people in New York taking active part in celebrating International Women’s Day 2015. Hundreds and thousands of enthusiastic people advocating gender equality marched through Manhattan streets and New York roads showcasing solidarity for worldwide women’s movement.

Other IWD Activities 2015

The global bell ringing ceremony was a great hit, and it was conducted all over the globe in the month of March, 2015. The Egyptian Stock Exchange inaugurated the bell ringing on March 3rd, while the Bombay Stock Exchange, Nigeria Stock Exchange, Istanbul Stock Exchange, NASDAQ Stock Exchange and Warsaw Stock Exchange followed suit.

In the year 1914, the IWD was held on the 8th of March as it was a Sunday. All International Women’s Day celebrations that took place after 1914 were held on March 8th. The day is also popular as International Working Women’s Day. Different countries celebrate this wondrous day in their own distinct ways, wherein women are honoured, respected, loved and lauded for her innumerable achievements.

Welcoming the positive change in the status of women over the years, United Nations has tried to promote this Day by aiding campaigns for equal rights for women all over the world, at par with men. In a universal message; the UN Secretary General mentioned that the secure future of all world citizens depends on empowerment of women. In present day society, women contribute to almost 50% of America’s workforce. Everywhere in the world, women are rising up to secure an equal footing in the employment field.