International Women’s DayInternational Women’s Day

© Fefelov Maxim, 11A, Gymnasium © Fefelov Maxim, 11A, Gymnasium №№7, 09/10 year7, 09/10 year

International Women's Day (IWD) International Women's Day (IWD) is marked on March 8 every year. is marked on March 8 every year. It is a major day of global It is a major day of global celebration for the economic, celebration for the economic, political and social achievements political and social achievements of women.of women.

The first IWD was observed on 28 February 1909 in the United States following a declaration by the Socialist Party of America.

Among other relevant historic events, it came to commemorate the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire. It was one of the largest industrial disasters in the history of the city of New York city, causing the death of 146 garment workers, almost all of them women, who either died from the fire or jumped from the fatal height.

The idea of having an international The idea of having an international women's day was first put forward at women's day was first put forward at the turn of the 19th century amid the turn of the 19th century amid rapid world industrialization and rapid world industrialization and economic expansion that led to economic expansion that led to protests over working conditions.protests over working conditions.

In 1910 the first international In 1910 the first international women's conference was held in women's conference was held in Copenhagen by the Second Copenhagen by the Second International and an 'International International and an 'International Women's Day' was established, which Women's Day' was established, which was submitted by the important was submitted by the important German Socialist Clara Zetkin, German Socialist Clara Zetkin, although no date was specified.although no date was specified.

Clara Zetkin & Rose Luxemburg, Clara Zetkin & Rose Luxemburg, 19101910

Demonstrations marking International Women's Demonstrations marking International Women's Day in Russia proved to be one the first stage of Day in Russia proved to be one the first stage of the Russian Revolution of 1917.the Russian Revolution of 1917.

Following the October Following the October Revolution, the Bolshevik Revolution, the Bolshevik feminist Alexandra Kollontai feminist Alexandra Kollontai persuaded Lenin to make it an persuaded Lenin to make it an official holiday in the Soviet official holiday in the Soviet Union, and it was established, but Union, and it was established, but was a working day until 1965.was a working day until 1965.

On May 8, 1965 by the decree of the USSR On May 8, 1965 by the decree of the USSR Presidium of the Supreme Soviet International Presidium of the Supreme Soviet International Women's Day was declared as a non working day Women's Day was declared as a non working day in the USSR "in commemoration of the in the USSR "in commemoration of the outstanding merits of Soviet women in outstanding merits of Soviet women in communistic construction, in the defense of their communistic construction, in the defense of their Motherland during the Great Patriotic War, in their Motherland during the Great Patriotic War, in their heroism and selflessness at the front and in the heroism and selflessness at the front and in the rear, and also marking the great contribution of rear, and also marking the great contribution of women to strengthening friendship between women to strengthening friendship between peoples, and the struggle for peace."peoples, and the struggle for peace."

The day is an official The day is an official holiday inholiday in::AngolaAngolaArmeniaArmeniaAzerbaijanAzerbaijanBelarusBelarusBurkina FasoBurkina FasoCambodia, ChinaCambodia, ChinaCroatiaCroatiaCubaCubaGeorgiaGeorgiaGuinea-BissauGuinea-BissauEritreaEritreaKazakhstanKazakhstanKyrgyzstanKyrgyzstanLithuaniaLithuaniaLaosLaos

MadagascarMadagascarMoldovaMoldovaMongoliaMongoliaMontenegroMontenegroNepalNepalPolandPolandRussiaRussiaSerbiaSerbiaTajikistanTajikistanTurkmenistanTurkmenistanUgandaUgandaUkraineUkraineUzbekistanUzbekistanVietnamVietnamZambia.Zambia.

On this day it is customary for men to On this day it is customary for men to give the women in their lives - give the women in their lives - mothers, wives, girlfriends, daughters, mothers, wives, girlfriends, daughters, colleagues, etc - flowers and small colleagues, etc - flowers and small gifts. In some countries (such as gifts. In some countries (such as Romania) it is also observed as an Romania) it is also observed as an equivalent of Mother's Day, where equivalent of Mother's Day, where children also give small presents to children also give small presents to their mothers and grandmothers.their mothers and grandmothers.

In Italy, to celebrate the In Italy, to celebrate the day, men give yellow day, men give yellow mimosas to women. mimosas to women. Yellow mimosas and Yellow mimosas and chocolate are also one chocolate are also one of the most common of the most common March 8 presents in March 8 presents in Russia and Albania.Russia and Albania.

In many counties of In many counties of East Europe the East Europe the custom of giving custom of giving women flowers still women flowers still prevails. Women prevails. Women sometimes get gifts sometimes get gifts from their from their employers too. employers too. Schoolchildren Schoolchildren often bring gifts for often bring gifts for their teachers as their teachers as well.well.

In 1975, which had been In 1975, which had been designated as International designated as International Women’s Year, the United Nations Women’s Year, the United Nations gave official sanction to and gave official sanction to and began sponsoring International began sponsoring International Women's Day.Women's Day.

Interesting facts about Woman'sInteresting facts about Woman's

* Women use 20,000 words a day while men only use 7,000* Women use 20,000 words a day while men only use 7,000

Global Issues ...Global Issues ...

* Females in developing countries on average carry 20 litres of * Females in developing countries on average carry 20 litres of water per day over 6 kmwater per day over 6 km * Pregnant women in Africa are 180 times more likely to die than in * Pregnant women in Africa are 180 times more likely to die than in Western EuropeWestern Europe * 530,000 women die in pregnancy or childbirth each year* 530,000 women die in pregnancy or childbirth each year * Of 1.2 billion people living in poverty worldwide, 70% are women* Of 1.2 billion people living in poverty worldwide, 70% are women * 80% of the world's 27 million refugees are women* 80% of the world's 27 million refugees are women * Women own around only 1% of the world's land * Women own around only 1% of the world's land * Women are 2/3 of the 1 billion* Women are 2/3 of the 1 billion - - illiterate adults who have no illiterate adults who have no access to basic educationaccess to basic education

Innovation ...Innovation ... * Globally women comprise 42% internet users (Italy 37% ... US & Canada 51%)* Globally women comprise 42% internet users (Italy 37% ... US & Canada 51%) * Women's representation in computer and information sciences workforce is around 30% * Women's representation in computer and information sciences workforce is around 30% globallyglobally Business / Finance ...Business / Finance ... * Women control $14 trillion in assets and this should grow to $22 trillion over next 10 years* Women control $14 trillion in assets and this should grow to $22 trillion over next 10 years * Only in Japan and Peru are women more active in starting a business than men* Only in Japan and Peru are women more active in starting a business than men * Women spend more time researching before they invest than men do* Women spend more time researching before they invest than men do

Work ...Work ... * Women do two-thirds of the world's work but receive only 10% of the world's income* Women do two-thirds of the world's work but receive only 10% of the world's income * Women's education is the most powerful predictor of lower fertility rates* Women's education is the most powerful predictor of lower fertility rates

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