History of International Women’s Day, Colour and Theme

Have you ever wondered how International Women’s Day came about? Or why has it’s been celebrated?

International Women’s Day is a worldwide holiday that is celebrated annually in March. The celebration is to commemorate With women all over the world and bring attention to issues such as gender inequality, reproductive rights, abuse against women, and other societal issues.

International Women’s Day is devoted to celebrating the achievement of women.

It began as a National Women’s Day in the United States back in February 1909 after women’s persecution and inequality propelled them to become more involved in the reformation movement.

It was also celebrated to honor the 1908 garment workers strike in New York where women protested against working in harsh conditions.

The next year, at the second international conference of working women in Copenhagen, Denmark, women’s rights activist Clara Zetkin called for an international women’s Day to give women a greater voice.

Clara’s idea for an international women’s Day had no fixed date and was not formalized until after the strike in 1917, when Russian women asked for “bread and peace”, a protest which took place on March 8 to demand their end of food shortage and World War 1. It was from there that the idea of March 8 came up as international women’s Day.

International Women’s Day was first observed by Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland in 1911.

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In 1975, United Nations began celebrating international women’s Day for the first time officially.

Colors of international women’s Day

Purple, Green, and White

Purple– represents Justice and Dignity

Green– represents hope

White– represents Purity

The colors were assigned by the United Kingdom by the women’s social and political union (WSPU).

Every year, International women’s Day is being celebrated with a theme. The United Nations theme for 2022 is “Gender Equality Today for Sustainable Tomorrow” while the International women’s website has chosen #BreaktheBias – Urging everyone to call out gender bias, discrimination, stereotyping each time you see it.

International Women’s Day has become a global holiday where members states of the United Nations celebrate women all over the world.

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