International Women’s Day is celebrated every year on March 8th. It is a day for celebrating women’s social, cultural, economic, and political achievements. It is also a day to recognize how much further we need to go in achieving gender equality worldwide.
This year’s International Women’s Day theme is “Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow.” Gender equality is not only a human right, but it is also key to sustainable development. When women have equal opportunities, it improves social and economic outcomes for families, communities, and nations.
International Women’s Day: Why is It Celebrated?
International Women’s Day is celebrated because, throughout history, women have made significant contributions to society, but their achievements have often gone unrecognized. In the early 1900s, women in several countries began campaigning for a day that would honor their accomplishments.
In 1975, the United Nations declared March 8th as International Women’s Day. Each year, the day is commemorated with events around the world that focus on promoting gender equality.
The main goals of International Women’s Day are to:
- Celebrate the achievements of women
- Promote gender equality
- Raise awareness about the challenges that women face worldwide
- Create a platform for networking and sharing ideas
- Encourage men and boys to be allies of women.
The Theme for International Women’s Day 2022
The theme for International Women’s Day in 2022 is “Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow!” On Tuesday, March 8th, 2022, the United Nations will commemorate International Women’s Day with a high-level virtual (TBC) event titled “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow.”
Participants include the UN Secretary-General, the Chair of the Commission on the Status of Women, the President of the General Assembly, the Executive Director of UN Women, as well as gender equality and climate change celebrities and activists. A high-level panel discussion and musical performances will follow the event.
This year’s International Women’s Day commemoration honors and recognizes the women and girls who are leading the fight on climate change adaptation and response, as well as their leadership and contribution to a more sustainable future.
Gender Equality is a Key Element of Sustainable Development
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development calls for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls in all aspects of life. Achieving this goal is essential for sustainable development. Gender equality is not only a human right, but it is also key to sustainable development. The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) recognize this and call for eliminating all forms of discrimination against women and girls.
There are many reasons why gender equality is a key element of sustainable development.
- Women account for half of the world’s population, but they often face discrimination and inequality.
- When women have equal opportunities, it leads to improved social and economic outcomes for families, communities, and nations.
- Women play a vital role in sustainable development. They are the primary caregivers for their children and often play a leading role in managing natural resources and protecting the environment.
- Gender equality is also essential for peace and security. When women have a voice in decision-making, it can help resolve conflicts and improve peacebuilding efforts.
International Women’s Day: A Day to Celebrate Women’s Achievements
International Women’s Day is a day to celebrate the achievements of women throughout history. On this day, we recognize the accomplishments of women in all fields, including politics, business, science, and the arts.
One of the best ways to understand the importance of International Women’s Day is to look at some of the amazing and influential women who have made a difference in the world. Here are just a few examples:
- Kalpana Chawla, an Indian-born American astronaut who was the first woman of Indian origin to go to space. Even, in the present-day world, she is the true inspiration for all the girls out there who want to make it big in their lives.
- Mary Kom is an Indian amateur boxer and politician who achieved great success in boxing for India including being the first woman to qualify for London Olympics and also to win a Bronze medal in boxing for India. She broke many stereotypes related to women in sports and became an inspiration.
- Malala Yousafzai is a Pakistani activist who is best known for her work in promoting education for girls. In 2012, she was shot in the head by the Taliban for speaking out in support of girls’ education. Despite the attack, Malala continued to speak out about the importance of education for women and girls. In 2014, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
- Angela Merkel is the Chancellor of Germany and one of the most powerful women in the world. She has been in office since 2005 and has been praised for her leadership during the Eurozone crisis.
- Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is the first female President of Liberia. She was elected in 2005 and served until 2017. Under her leadership, Liberia made significant progress in improving health, education, and economic conditions.
These were just a few of the amazing women who have made a difference in the world. International Women’s Day is a day to celebrate all of their accomplishments and to continue working towards gender equality for all women and girls.
This year’s International Women’s Day commemoration will be held at the UN Headquarters in New York. The event will include a panel discussion with high-level UN officials, including the Secretary-General, António Guterres. The panel will discuss the role of women in achieving sustainable development goals.