Why is there an International Women’s Day?
International Women’s Day originated at the turn of the 20th century and was first organized by women involved in the labour movement who sought equality for women in the workforce. It grew in popularity and was eventually adopted by women throughout Europe as a day to focus attention on the struggle to achieve the equality of women in society. The first International Women’s Day was observed in 1911 in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. Between 1913 and 1917 women began celebrating it annually in other parts of Europe. It continued to grow in popularity on a world-wide scale until the United Nations designated 1975 as International Women’s Year.
In 1977 the United Nations officially designated March 8 as International Women’s Day. As a result, March 8 is an official national holiday in many countries today and celebrated in many others. Canada followed the UN in adopting March 8 as International Women’s Day (IWD). In some places activities are held throughout the week of March 8 each year.
Each year there is a different theme for UN International Women’s Day which serves to focus attention on a particular aspect of the status of women. The theme for 2018 is ''Time is Now: Rural and urban activists transforming women's lives''.