March 8 is International Women’s Day, a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future. The first IWD event was held one hundred years ago, in 1911. According to the International Women’s Day site, it began when women’s oppression and inequality spurred women to become more vocal and active in campaigning for change. In 1908, 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter hours, better pay and voting rights.
IWD is now an official holida
y in China, Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. The tradition sees men honouring their mothers, wives, girlfriends, colleagues, etc with flowers and small gifts. In some countries IWD has the equivalent status of Mother’s Day where children give small presents to their mothers and grandmothers.
Find out what’s going on for International Women’s Day’s in your area. Continue reading
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