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Shkruar nga Pamfleti
Today is March 8, International Women's Day, also known as Mother's Day.
Today, International Women's Day is celebrated all over the world, a holiday that emphasizes women and their rights. Even in Albania, this holiday is welcomed with joy and brings easily visible changes from our everyday life.
The changes can be seen in the streets which are filled with bouquets of flowers and gifts, an option even for those who run to catch work and at the same time to give their loved ones a flower. On March 8, groups of women and girls are seen who find the opportunity to take care of themselves and pay attention to other women and their friendship, getting out of the routine. But apart from the gifts we give to mothers, sisters and every important woman in our lives, what does March 8 symbolize and how did this important holiday for women start?
How did International Women's Day begin?
International Women's Day (IWD) was developed out of the labor movement. The "seeds" of this day were planted in 1908, when 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter working hours, better wages and the right to vote. A year later, the Socialist Party of America proclaimed the first National Women's Day.
The idea to make it an international event came from Clara Zetkin, a communist activist and women's rights advocate. In 1910, she raised it at an International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen. Her suggestion was unanimously supported by 100 women from 17 countries who were at the conference, writes the BBC.
The first International Women's Day was celebrated in 1911 in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. The United Nations (UN) began marking the event in 1975. The first theme adopted by the UN (in 1996) was “Celebrating the past, planning for the future”.
Why is International Women's Day celebrated on March 8?
Zetkin's original idea for an international holiday was not tied to a specific day. The date March 8 was chosen after Russian women demanded "bread and peace" during a wartime strike in 1917. Four days after the strike, the Tsar was forced to abdicate and the Provisional Government gave women the right to vote. According to the Julian calendar, which was then used in Russia, the women's strike began on February 23. In the Gregorian calendar used in most of the world, this date is March 8.
How is International Women's Day celebrated around the world?
International Women's Day is a national holiday in many countries. In China, many women are given half a day off from work as advised by the State Council. Thousands of events take place around the world, including marches, talks, concerts, exhibitions and debates.
In Italy, IWD is called Festa della Donna, and mimosa flowers are a popular gift. Flower sales in Russia usually double around International Women's Day. In the US, March is Women's History Month. A presidential proclamation issued each year honors the achievements of American women.
Why do people wear purple for International Women's Day?
Purple, green and white are the colors of IWD, according to the International Women's Day website. He says that: "Purple means justice and dignity. Green symbolizes hope. White represents purity, although a controversial concept." These colors were used by the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU), a group formed in the UK in 1903 to fight for the vote for women.
What is the theme of International Women's Day 2024?
The UN theme for 2024 is "Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress", which aims to highlight the importance of measures for gender equality. "Conflicts and rising prices could cause 75% of countries to cut public spending by 2025, negatively affecting women and their essential services," warns the UN.
The International Women's Day website has chosen the theme "Inspire Inclusion". It says organizers and events aim to "break down barriers, challenge stereotypes and create environments where all women are valued and respected".
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