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TORRES NEWS THURSDAY 2 MARCH 2023 Planning for the Future which was followed in 1997 with Women at the Peace table, in 1998 with Women and Human Rights, in 1999 with World Free of Violence Against Women, and so on each year.
2000 By the new millennium, there was little mainstream activity occurring for International Women’s Day in most countries. The world had moved on and, in many spheres, feminism wasn’t a popular topic. There was urgent work to do – battles had not been won, and gender parity still had not been achieved. There was a strong need to engage the mainstream masses, and to encourage and support collective action.
2001 Following a year of planning and collaborative conversations, the internationalwomensday. com platform was launched with the specific purpose of re-energising the day and inviting mass participation – a focus which continues to this day – by celebrating and making visible the achievements of women, while continuing the call for
accelerating gender parity. The IWD website adopts an annual campaign theme that is globally relevant for groups and organisations. The campaign theme provides a framework and direction for annual IWD activity and takes into account the wider agenda of both celebration as well as the call to action for gender parity. Campaign themes over the years have included: Embrace Equity, Break The Bias, Choose To Challenge, Each for Equal, Balance for Better, Press for Progress, Be Bold for Change, Pledge for Parity, Make It Happen, The Gender Agenda, and more. Campaign themes for the global IWD website are collaboratively developed each year with a range of stakeholders and widely adopted worldwide across the mainstream. The IWD website also serves as a significant vehicle for charities, fundraising hefty six figure sums with 100 per cent of donations going direct to charity. Today, an IWD Charity Alliance is open to femalefocused registered charities from around the world.
2011
2023 and beyond
2011 saw the 100 year centenary of International Women’s Day – with the first IWD event held exactly 100 years ago in 1911 in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. In the United States, 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. Many celebrities and business leaders actively support the day. IWD was finally starting to become more mainstream and inclusive, with groups everywhere participating.
The world has witnessed a significant change and attitudinal shift in both women’s and society’s thoughts about women’s equality and emancipation. Many from a younger generation may feel that ‘all the battles have been won for women’ while many feminists from the 1970s know only too well the longevity and ingrained complexity of patriarchy. With more women in the boardroom, greater equality in legislative rights, and an increased critical mass of women’s visibility as impressive role models in every aspect of life, one could think that women have gained true equality.
The unfortunate fact is that women are still not paid equally to that of their male counterparts, women still are not present in equal numbers in business or politics, and globally women’s education, health and the violence against them is worse than that of men. However, great improvements have been made. And so each year the world inspires women and celebrates their achievements. IWD is an official holiday in many countries including Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, China (for women only), Cuba, Georgia, Guinea-Bissau, Eritrea, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Madagascar (for women only), Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Nepal (for women only), Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, and Zambia. In some countries IWD has the equivalent status of Mother’s Day, where children give small presents to their mothers and grandmothers.
Happy International Women’s Day FNQ
A global web of rich and diverse local activity connects women from all around the world ranging from political rallies, business conferences, government activities and networking events through to local women’s craft markets, theatrical performances, fashion parades and more. Many global corporations actively support IWD by running their own events and campaigns. For example, on 8 March search engine and media giant Google often changes its Google Doodle on its global search pages to honor IWD. Year on year, IWD is certainly a powerful moment increasing in status. Make a difference – think globally and act locally! All choice of IWD activity is valid. Make everyday International Women’s Day. Do your bit to ensure that the future for girls is bright, equal, safe, and rewarding. For more information on International Women’s Day go to https://www. internationalwomensday. com/
Pictured: Left, Cynthia Lui - State Labor Member for Cook Right, Nita Green - Queensland Labor Senator
8 MARCH 2023
To all women seeking equal pay and secure work, we are on your side.
@CynthiaLuiMP
To all women who want to feel safe at work, in their communities and at home, we are on your side.
@nitagreenqld
Let’s ‘Embrace Equity’ on International Women’s Day & beyond.
#EmbraceEquity
Authorised by Senator Nita Green, ALP, 141-143 Abbott St, Cairns, QLD
