It’s International Women’s Day!

March 14, 2016 Comments Off

Originally published by Morning News USA on March 14, 2016

Today, March 8, marks the 108th International Women’s Day, which recognizes the contribution of women in shaping the world. For more than a century, the world has been celebrating this special day for women in a bid to recognize how they helped transform the world.

All over the world, women’s contributions to society have been recognized and honored in different ways. However, despite significant role women play in shaping the world, the clamor for equal treatment remains unheeded.

India

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded how women helped transformed the world. The PM also tweeted how his administration recognizes the contribution women play in society through the programs he put in place and legislations he passed into law, India Today reports.

Australia

To celebrate women empowerment, six of the most influential female politicians in Australia have gathered Tuesday morning at the Parliament House to celebrate this day for women all over the world. Australian Senator Michaela Cash on Tuesday urged the government to lead by example in pushing for gender equality in the country, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Turkey

While most women are being celebrated and hailed all over the world, some women who staged a rally in Turkey’s capital were treated with fierce and full force by local police. According to a report from Breitbart, a group of women staging a program to celebrate this momentous day were shooed away by police. The report adds that at least one woman was arrested in the same incident.

United Kingdom

One of the highlights of this year’s International Women’s Day in United Kingdom was the gathering of women who made exemplary contribution in the field of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). Women in STEM attended the event, which was held Tuesday, where they discussed some of the challenges that they face in the field, the International Business Times reports.

Japan

In line with this year’s theme of “Planet 50-50 by 2030,” Japanese women in the country’s capital attended an intensive seminar/workshop that teaches Japanese women about natural disaster. The event, which will run until March 26, aims to make women of Japan aware of how they can prepare for different natural calamities. Japan, a country that lies along the pacific ring of fire, is frequently hit by massive earthquakes and other natural disasters.

United States

In the U.S., women of different nationalities have converge at the Ames Public Library and discussed some of the issues women face today. The event, which was held Sunday, focused on roles that women play in shaping today’s societies, particularly economic contribution, social, and political, among others.

“The idea is, when you do something interactive and you get people to participate, they feel more engaged and empowered and they learn more about the topic,” Daniela Dimitrova was quoted as saying by the Iowa State Daily.

Dimitrova, a professor from the from Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication is also an active member of the Friends of International Women, one of the organizations that co-sponsored the Sunday’s event.

China

While the whole world is trumpeting the achievements and contributions women play in the society, some Chinese activists are protesting and pressuring Chinese authorities to release their women comrades detained after planning to stage similar event last time. This year, the group Chinese Human Rights Defenders (CHRD) staged a rally pressuring the government to release their colleagues who has spent one year in detention, the Radio Free Asia reports.

International Women’s Day is a global event celebrated in more than 40 countries. It is backed by the United Nations and carries this year’s theme“Planet 50-50 by 2030.” Part of the movement’s 2030 agenda is the recognition of women empowerment in achieving global sustainability.