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

Costa Georgiadis on all things organic, Greek, and the Little Food Festival

Host of Gardening Australia, Costa Georgiadis, spoke with The Greek Herald about his upcoming involvement with the Little Food Festival.

‘Untamed Voices’ to bring rebetiko’s powerful women to Sydney stage

The Greek Festival of Sydney will present 'Untamed Voices' on Sunday, April 19, a music experience that brings the soul of rebetiko to Sydney

GCM schools celebrate Orthodox Easter through creative holiday program

Students from the Greek Community of Melbourne schools explored Holy Week traditions through a creative Easter holiday program.

‘Kapodistrias – The Governor’ to premiere in Sydney, bringing Greek history to life

Sydney audiences will soon have the opportunity to experience one of Greece’s most talked-about films, 'Kapodistrias – The Governor.'

What’s in a surname? Demetra reflects on identity and marriage

Demetra, an Australian woman from a Greek Cypriot background has spoken out about the emotional impact of changing her surname after marriage

You May Also Like

Sydney fundraiser to be held for Professor Apostolopoulos’ cancer research

A special fundraiser pop-up event is set to take place at AHEPA NSW Hall to support the research of Professor Vasso Apostolopoulos.

Honouring courage and freedom: Melbourne’s Greek community marks OXI Day

As every year, the Hellenic RSL in Melbourne held its annual wreath-laying ceremony at the Australian Hellenic War Memorial.

18-year-old Johnny Frilingos victorious at Canberra’s Blessing of the Waters

On Sunday, January 7, the Canberra Greek community came together to celebrate Saint John’s feast day, in conjunction with Epiphany Day.