International Women's Day
Each year on March 8 hundreds of International Women's Day events occur all around the world. These United Nations Day events range from small random informal gatherings to large-scale highly organized events. All celebrate women's advancement and highlight the need for continued vigilance and action.
The theme for 2010 is "Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities: Progress for All".
Why dedicate a day exclusively to the celebration of the world's women?
In adopting its resolution on the observance of Women's Day, the United Nations General Assembly cited two reasons:
- to recognize the fact that securing peace and social progress and the full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms require the active participation, equality, and development of women;
- and to acknowledge the contribution of women to the strengthening of international peace and security. For the women of the world, the day's symbolism has a wider meaning: it is an occasion to review how far they have come in their struggle for equality, peace, and development. It is also an opportunity to unite, network, and mobilize for meaningful change.
FACTS
- 1 out of every 3 women around the world has faced some form of violence.
- On July 1, 2007, the world's population was 6,602,224,175; that means more than 3,301,112,087 were women. There are always more women in the world than men for a variety of reasons.
Prayer Corner
- Women affected from natural disasters and war
- Commission on the Status of Women Conference in New York
- Women's Awareness week at General Conference
- Enditnow Campaign
Calendar
- March: Women's History Month
- March 6: Women's Ministries International Day of Prayer
- March 21: International Day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination
