Celebrating the Women’s Contribution
International Women’s Day takes place on March 8 everywhere to celebrate women’s rights and inspire people to act in the ongoing fight for gender equality. This day celebrates women’s contributions to society, raises awareness about the fight for gender parity, and inspires support for organizations that help women globally. According to the United Nations, International Women’s Day started in America in 1909. However, after several date changes and an increasing number of participating countries over the years, on March 8, 1975, the United Nations officially started International Women’s Day.
I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights
The theme for this year’s international women’s day 2020 is, I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights. This theme is aligned with UN women’s new multigenerational campaign, Generation Equality. This platform marks the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Beijing Platform for Action is recognized as the most progressive roadmap for the empowerment of women and girls around the globe.
In this year’s campaign, #EachForEqual draws attention to the difference individuals can make. Across the world, Western Europe currently has the highest gender parity rate as 76.7%. Yet, any of the countries have not achieved complete gender equality and this campaign addresses to work on this issue.
Previous Themes
Much like this year, UN themes for previous years were also centered on women empowerment. The theme for 2019 was, ‘Think equal, build smart, innovate for change.’ It focused on innovative ways to advance gender equality and women empowerment. Prior to that, the theme for 2018 was, ‘Time is now; rural and urban activists transforming women’s lives.’ It came on the heels of an unprecedented global movement for women’s rights, equality, and justice. The theme in 2017 focussed on ‘Women in the changing world of work; planet 50-50 by 2030.’ All these themes from the United Nations have contributed towards women empowerment and have been vital in the global approach for the same.
