Why do we celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8?

·

International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8 every year and is a focal point in the movement for women’s rights.

But why do we celebrate on March 8?

The UN began celebrating International Women’s Day in the International Women’s Year – 1975. In 1977, the UN General Assembly invited member states to proclaim March 8 as the UN Day for women’s rights and world peace.

In Australia, International Women’s Day has been informally celebrated since the early 1920s.

International Women’s Day rally, Melbourne 1975.

The first Australian IWD rally, organised by the Militant Women’s Movement of the Communist Party of Australia, took place on March 25, 1928 in the Sydney Domain.

IWD gained momentum in Australia around the time of the Second World War. Activists such as Jessie Street campaigned for women’s rights as workers because women at the time were often paid only 54 percent of men’s wages.

These days, International Women’s Day is marked in Australia with a diverse array of events including marches, rallies and fundraising events.

Source: SAGE.

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Latest News

Damon Hanlin issues defamation warning ahead of Sydney Olympic AGM

Damon Hanlin has issued a defamation concerns notice ahead of the club’s AGM, escalating ongoing tensions.

‘Lest we forget’: St Spyridon Parish in Sydney hosts moving ANZAC Day memorial

The St Spyridon Greek Orthodox Parish in Sydney has hosted a special ANZAC Day service, bringing together the community.

Final seats released as Sydney races to witness Mimis Plessas centenary tribute

Final seats have been released at City Recital Hall as demand surges for Sydney’s once-in-a-lifetime centenary tribute to Mimis Plessas.

Open letter urges unity over Hellenic Village as $119.5m sale nears completion

An open letter on the impending Hellenic Village sale urges unity within the Greek community, warning it is a once-in-a-gen opportunity.

Rampant APIA Leichhardt crush Sydney Olympic to surge back into second

APIA Leichhardt delivered a statement performance at Lambert Park, powering to a commanding 4–1 victory over Sydney Olympic.

You May Also Like

Australia bids to host 2031 FIBA World Cup

Australia is set to bid for the 2031 Basketball World Cup after a record breaking FIFA Women’s soccer World Cup in Sydney this month.

Sydney student Kosmas Tsatas receives inaugural Mytilenian Odysseus Elytis award

Peter Psomas presented the inaugural Mytilenian Odysseus Elytis Award to a student from Kingsgrove North High School in southern Sydney.

Greek Foreign Minister cuts visit to Tripoli short after diplomatic incident

Greece’s foreign minister Nikos Dendias called off the first leg of a visit to Libya on Thursday, refusing to disembark from his plane.