International Women’s Day: The roots of our success

Larger image Petty Officer 2nd class Nathalie Scalabrini

Daniel Rancourt - Servir

This year, the Defence Team is celebrating International Women’s Day (IWD) with the theme “The fights they have led: the roots of our success.”

In 1977, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution calling on member states to proclaim a day for women’s rights and international peace. Following the United Nations’ lead, Canada chose March 8 as International Women’s Day.

Each year at this time, Canadians celebrate progress toward equality for women and their full participation, reflect on the challenges and barriers that remain, and consider future steps to achieving equality for all women, in all aspects of their lives.

Over time, International Women's Day has grown into a week-long series of commemorative events and activities across the country.

History

International Women’s Rights Day (or International Women’s Day) is celebrated on March 8. It originated with the women’s demonstrations in the early 20th century in Europe and the United States, during which women demanded better work conditions and the right to vote.

International Women’s Day is the story of ordinary women as makers of history; it is rooted in the centuries-old struggle of women to participate in society on an equal footing with men. In ancient Greece, Lysistrata initiated a sexual strike against men in order to end war; during the French Revolution, Parisian women calling for “liberty, equality, fraternity” marched on Versailles to demand women’s suffrage.

 

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