International Women’s Day…a celebration in the context of crises Policy

On March 8 of each year, the world celebrates International Women’s Day, which is an opportunity to embody the will of women and the challenges they face around the world.

Women in 2024 face a wide range of challenges, as many countries suffer from economic difficulties and political conflicts, which particularly affect women’s lives. Women face many new challenges every day; In order to support themselves and their families.

Despite all this, their resilience remains remarkable. Many of them adapt to difficult circumstances. In light of this reality, women emerge as driving forces for change and development, as they strive to achieve economic and social empowerment for themselves and their communities.

Throughout the ages, women have proven that they are capable of influence and creativity in various fields, despite the challenges and restrictions that hinder their development and progress.

From struggle to celebration

The origins of the celebration of International Women’s Day go back to the early twentieth century, when women faced harsh conditions in the field of work, including injustice and discrimination.

On March 8, 1908, a group of working women in New York City organized a protest march to demand better working conditions, higher wages and gender equality.

In the following years, the women’s movement continued to fight for their rights and for better working conditions, and March 8 began to be celebrated as a day of struggle for women’s rights and gender equality.

Similar to the United States of America, an international conference for working women was held in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1910, led by socialist Clara Zetkin, in which 100 women from 17 different countries participated. During it, Zetkin presented a proposal to designate an International Women’s Day dedicated to the struggle for the political, social, and economic rights of women. Her proposal was approved unanimously.

The following year, on March 19, 1911, millions of people in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland celebrated the first International Women’s Day, and in 1913 it was decided to declare March 8 as a day of celebration.

In 1975, this celebration gained a global character, after the United Nations celebrated it. Since then, the United Nations has been the main sponsor of this annual event, with a different theme chosen each year.

Investing in women

The slogans for International Women’s Day differ every year; In 2022, its slogan was “Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow,” and in 2023, “Digitalization for All: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality,” and this year’s slogan is: “Investing in Women: Accelerating Progress.”

This slogan aims to highlight the lack of investment in gender equality efforts, which leads to an essential pillar for building inclusive societies, as women’s progress benefits everyone.

According to a new United Nations report issued on September 7, 2023, it confirmed the need for additional investments worth 360 billion US dollars annually. To achieve gender equality and empower women across key global goals by 2030.

The UN report also showed that the gender gap in power and leadership positions remains entrenched, and that at current rates, the next generation of women will continue to spend an average of 2.3 additional hours per day on unpaid care and domestic work, compared to men.

Celebration colors

In 1908, the Women’s Social and Political Union in the United Kingdom used three colors to represent its cause: “purple, green and white”: purple symbolizes justice, dignity and loyalty to the cause, green symbolizes hope and the struggle to empower women and promote gender equality, and white It represents purity and innocence, as well as peace and solidarity between people of all races.

These colors are used in decorations, banners and posters during International Women’s Day activities. Using the colors of this day is an effective way to raise awareness of women’s issues and enhance interaction and participation in the struggle for their rights.

The toughest challenge in Palestine

International Women’s Day is an opportunity to highlight women’s issues around the world, including the difficult circumstances and challenges they face, especially Palestinian women, who face a reality full of challenges and difficulties. As a result of the political and social circumstances surrounding it.

From movement restrictions to brutal attacks and arbitrary arrests, and exposure to cruel and unjust practices by the occupation authorities, to harsh living conditions, and constant poverty resulting from the occupation.

However, she continues to face these challenges with strength and determination, and remains a source of inspiration and influence for women around the world.

Therefore, International Women’s Day is an opportunity to show solidarity with Palestinian women and support them in the challenges they face. Because enhancing the role of women and empowering them benefits the entire society and contributes to building a world surrounded by justice and peace.

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of Al Jazeera.

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