March 8 Marks Int'l Women's Day

March 8 marks International Women's Day, which highlights cultural, political, and socioeconomic women-made achievements in various fields.

The day is regarded as a focal point in the women's rights movement, bringing attention to issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women.

The theme of this year for International Women's Day is Embrace Equity.

According to the International Women's Day website, the aim of the IWD 2023 #EmbraceEquity campaign theme is to get the world talking about 'Why equal opportunities aren't enough'."

On this occasion, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres said: “We need action on several fronts to make sure women and girls can make their full contribution to the world’s knowledge through science and technology.”

He continued: “We must break down barriers — from discriminatory data to stereotypes that push girls away from studying scientific subjects at an early age. Decisionmakers of all kinds must broaden women’s participation and leadership in science and technology, through quotas if necessary.”

“They should be creative, widening the recruitment pipeline and hiring for skills. And they must be persistent. Gender equality will not happen by itself; it has to be prioritized and pursued. This approach is getting results at the United Nations, where we have our own strategy for gender parity among our personnel,” Guterres noted.

The UN chief also affirmed the need to create a safe digital environment for women and to hold accountable both the perpetrators of online abuse, and the digital platforms that enable them. 

International Women's Day first emerged from the activities of labor movements at the turn of the twentieth century across North America and Europe. 

The first National Woman's Day was observed in the United States in 1909, which the Socialist Party of America dedicated in honor of the 1908 garment workers' strike in New York where women protested against harsh working conditions. 

In 1917, women in Russia chose to protest and strike under the slogan "Bread and Peace" on the last Sunday in February (which fell on March 8 on the Gregorian calendar). Their movement ultimately led to the enactment of women's suffrage in Russia."