This past Sunday was International Women’s Day (IWD), yet I wonder just how many non Europeans or Asians are aware? I myself sadly am only aware after relearning Russian where one of the words to learn was “Mizdorozni Zensky Dien”, literally IWD. Perhaps most Americans have had a fleeting moment where we momentarily learned about it in school or online or simply heard the name. Nonetheless including with my case, we did not further investigate or our informers did not emphasize the day or it’s important significance to humanity and equality. There are at least three main reasons why this day is less popular or even known in the United States: We live in a more male dominated nation, IWD is not an official holiday in most nations and seems to be more popular more social or formally Communist countries. IWD emerged from the era of early 1900’s European and American Women equality and Suffrage movement. Women were considered barely equal or acceptable enough in society to be granted voting rights, social treatment, fair wages and living and working standards. In our era we hardly notice or witness this, yet women, especially in non Western nations, are denied many of these inalienable rights! People today do not take enough time or care to realize the severity of this and how disheartening it is. To be denied simple and seemingly basic rights is hard to realize unless one experiences the void or takes time to imagine. Prior to IWD the US, with the leadership of the Socialist Party of America, created the first National Woman’s Day (NWD) to be observed across the nation (Internationalwomansday.com). The first day to globally commemorate women took place on March 19, 1911. The 19th day of March was chosen to remember March 19, 1848 when the King of Prussia promised, without fulfilling, woman suffrage (Timeanddate.com). About 50 years later this day was successfully recognized and celebrated in Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, and Austria. About 1 million people attended rallies demanding suffrage, work training and public office opportunities (International). Before and during the Russian Revolution, Russian women were prominent players in demonstrations against what the Tsar did or did not do. They famously demanded “bread and peace” in 1917 in response to the high deaths of Russian soldiers in World War I (International) which encouraged a feeling of resentment and revolution. The new government that followed the Tsar’s abdication granted women the right to vote. Once the Soviet Union established itself and reigned over Russia and eventually its formal empirical lands, IWD was declared an official holiday. This day has subsequently become official in later communist nations such as China and formal Soviet satellites and republics in the latter half of the 20th Century (America.aljazeera.com). Clearly in Europe and communist nations where there is a deeper and more recent socialist tradition, do we find a stronger and more prominent recognition of IWD. Sadly due to our strong masculine mentality and anti Communist and socialist attitude, we seem to be less vocal or supportive of this important day. The US is one of the most vocal and prominent nations of freedom, opportunity and equality. It is a shame this day is compromised, but thankfully it exists and we can slowly spread its vital message: Celebrate, commemorate and recognize women success, heritage and suffering from the past and today. Yes I reiterate we need to remember or even realize that women are still suffering , not only in Latin, Asian or African nations but under our own noses. Women are still payed less than male counterparts, are abused, denied certain healthcare and viewed as lower or unworthy of business or leadership roles. International Women’s Day should not simply be day to remember the past but also today’s achievements and struggles.
International Women’s Day: A Forgotten Day
13 Friday Mar 2015
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