International Women’s Day: History and Timeline of this day

It is International Women's Day on March 8 and the mood is all set-in society to celebrate the spirit of feminism. But do we actually need a day to glorify the womanism?

International Women's Day is a global day for celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. This day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity.

The first Women's Day was held on February 28, 1909 in New York, March 8 was suggested by the 1910 International Woman's Conference to become an "International Woman's Day." 

Also, no Government, NGO, charity, corporation, academic institution, women's network or media hub is solely responsible for International Women's Day. There are organizations who declare an annual IWD theme to support the specific agenda or cause, and some of these are adopted more widely with relevance than others.

HISTORY:

1913: Russia observed International Women’s Day for the first time; later that year International Women’s Day was transferred to the global date, 8 March

1911: first International Women’s Day was celebrated on 19 March in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland

1910: Clara Zetkin, a political leader from Germany coined and convinced all at the International Conference of Working Women over the idea of International Women’s Day

1909: first National Woman’s Day (NWD) was celebrated in US; till 1913 NWD in US used to be observed on last Sunday of February

1908: first notable march by 15,000 women to raise their voice against oppression & inequality was held in New York City

Timeline of International Women's Day:

2018 and beyond:

# PressforProgress 2018:

Gender parity won't happen overnight, the good news is that across the world women are making positive gains day by day. While the global activism for women's equality is fuelled by movements like #MeToo, #TimesUp and more - this year campaign theme: #PressforProgress

# Be Bold For Change 2017:

The theme for International Women's Day 2017 was "Women in the Changing World of Work. In a message in support of International Women's Day, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres commented on how women's rights were being "reduced, restricted and reversed". 

# Pledge For Parity  2016:

The International Women's Day theme for 2016 was "Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality".

# Empowering Women, Empowering Humanity  2015: 

The many achievements that have come since the very begining and galvanize action to address the gaps that still remain in making gender equality a reality

# Equality for Women is Progress for All 2014:

American singer Beyoncé also posted an International Women's Day video to her YouTube account. Throughout the video, her song "***Flawless" plays, which includes a portion of the "We Should All Be Feminists" speech given by author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Beyoncé is a feminist

# A promise is a promise 2013: 

The 2013 International Women's Day, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) draw attention to the plight of women in prison

# Empower Rural Women – End Hunger and Poverty 2012:

This year woman whose efforts made a difference in the fight against hunger and poverty was awarded with Oxfam's International Women's Day award. Also, the ICRC called for more action to help the mothers and wives of people who have gone missing during armed conflict. 

# Women's History Month 2011:

President Barack Obama proclaimed March 2011 to be "Women's History Month", calling Americans to mark IWD by reflecting on "the extraordinary accomplishments of women" in shaping the country's history.

# Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities: Progress for All 2010:

International Women's Day the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) drew attention to the hardships displaced women endure.

# Women and Men United to End Violence Against Women and Girls 2009:

The year the global replort provided an update on the projected impact of the economic crisis from a gender perspective based on the latest data on both male and female labour force participation, unemployment, and vulnerable employment at the global and regional levels.

# Investing in Women and Girls 2008:

INvesting in women? Yes, strong focus was made on country level financing for gender equality. Highlighting this issue, the priority theme of the 52nd session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), which concluded 7 March 2008, was “Financing for gender equality and the empowerment of women”.

# Ending Impunity for Violence Against Women and Girls 2007:

The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day, “Ending Impunity for Violence against Women and Girls” is on target when we consider that impunity for the perpetrators of violence against women remains the norm, not the exception in many parts of the world.
 
# Women in Decision-making 2006.

# Gender Equality Beyond 2005; Building a More Secure Future 2005.

# Women and HIV/AIDS 2004. 

#  Gender Equality and the Millennium Development Goals 2003.

# 3 Afghan Women Today: Realities and Opportunities 2002. 

# Women and Peace: Women Managing Conflicts 2001.

# Women Uniting for Peace 2000.

# World Free of Violence Against Women 1999.

# Women and Human Rights 1998.

# Women and the Peace Table 1997.

# Celebrating the Past, Planning for the Future 1996.