March: International Women’s Day – Wadjda

A Triumph of Female Empowerment and Resilience

For March’s theme, International Women’s Day, featuring Wadjda (2012). This ground-breaking Saudi Arabian film is a powerful celebration of female resilience and empowerment.

“You won’t be able to have children if you ride a bike.” 🚴

Wadjda (2012), the first Saudi Arabian film directed by a woman, Haifaa Al-Mansour.

A Brief History of International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day (IWD), celebrated annually on March 8th, is a global occasion to honour women’s achievements, raise awareness about gender equality, and inspire change. Its origins can be traced back to the early 20th century, rooted in the struggles of working women and suffrage movements. Here’s a historical overview:

• The First International Women’s Day (1911)

  • When and Where:
    March 19th, 1911, marked the first official International Women’s Day, observed in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland.
  • Participation:
    Over one million people attended rallies advocating for women’s labour rights, suffrage, and education.
  • Significance:
    This was one of the earliest demonstrations of global solidarity for women’s rights.
• Women’s Day and Revolution (1917)

  • Russia’s Women’s Day Strike:
    On March 8th, 1917, women in Petrograd (modern-day St. Petersburg) protested against food shortages and poor living conditions, demanding “bread and peace.”
    • The strike grew into a nationwide protest, leading to the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II and the eventual granting of women’s suffrage in Russia.
  • Why March 8th?
    Following this event, March 8th became permanently associated with International Women’s Day.
• Recognition by the United Nations (1975)

  • The United Nations officially recognised International Women’s Day in 1975, which was designated as International Women’s Year.
  • Annual Themes:
    Since 1996, the UN has introduced themes for each year’s IWD. Examples include:
    • 1996: “Celebrating the Past, Planning for the Future”
    • 2023: “DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality”
• Modern Celebrations and Challenges (2000–Present)

  • Global Observance:
    IWD is now celebrated in over 100 countries, with events ranging from rallies and protests to art exhibits and educational campaigns.
  • Focus on Equality:
    While progress has been made in areas like education and workforce participation, challenges remain, including the gender pay gap, underrepresentation in leadership roles, and violence against women.
  • Global Movements:
    Recent initiatives like the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements have amplified the fight against sexual harassment and gender-based violence.
• Cultural Variations

  • Russia: Flowers like mimosa are commonly given to women as a gesture of appreciation.
  • China: Women are often given a half-day off work to celebrate.
  • Italy: The day is known as “Festa della Donna,” and women receive yellow mimosa flowers.

International Women’s Day is a testament to the resilience, strength, and determination of women worldwide. From its revolutionary roots to its global celebrations today, it continues to inspire action and honour progress toward gender equality.

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