International Women's Day (IWD), originally called
International Working Women’s Day is
marked on March 8 every year.[1] It is a major day of
global celebration of women. In different regions the focus of the celebrations ranges from general
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celebration of respect, appreciation and love towards women to a celebration for women's economic, political and social achievements.
Started as a Socialist political event, the holiday blended in the culture of many countries, primarily Eastern Europe, Russia, and the former Soviet bloc. In many regions, the day lost its political flavour, and became simply an occasion for men to express their love for women in a way somewhat similar to a mixture of Mother's Day and St Valentine's Day. In other regions, however, the original political and human rights theme designated by the United Nations runs strong, and political and social awareness of the struggles of women worldwide are brought out and examined in a hopeful manner.
March 8 marks the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day, a celebration of the economic, political and social achievements of women past and present that is observed around the world.
The first International Women's Day was held in 1911 in Germany, Austria, Denmark and Switzerland. Then, over a million men and women attended rallies to campaign for women's rights to work, vote and hold public office.
This year over 200 events are slated to occur in the U.S. alone.
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will host the 2011 International Women of Courage Awards Ceremony with First Lady Michelle Obama. The awards annually recognize women across the globe who have shown exceptional fortitude in advocating for women's rights and empowerment -- often at great personal risk. This year's recipients include women whose occupations range from blogger to head of state.
"I believe that the rights of women and girls is the unfinished business of the 21st century," Clinton told Newsweek in a recent interview.
Though the road to gender equality may still be a long one, International Women's Day is an opportunity to meditate on how far women have already come. In honor of the event's centennial, The Guardian asked women of all ages, from 15 different countries across the world, to share the changes they've witnessed.
"I come from an ethnic Chinese family where the women went from bound feet to Rhodes scholar within four generations," said Regina Yau of Malaysia.
Airlines fly '100% female-operated' flights for Women's Day:
Air India and Air France are among the airlines flying "100% female-operated" flights today, efforts mean to commemorate International Women's Day.
Air India says it's flying 11 such flights, including on one of its ultra-long haul routes between New Delhi and Toronto.
The carrier has been flying since the 1980s, including one last year on its Mumbai-New York run. Also in 2010, Air India "operated a record 22 all-women's crew flights across domestic and international networks," according to India's Economic Times.
As for Air France, it says it is flying a female-only crew today on Air France Flight 188 from Paris Charles de Gaulle to Hong Kong.
Air France says in a press release that a "fully female" crew of 18 will operate the flight, "welcoming a crew made up of 3 female pilots and 15 air hostesses."
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Related:
International Women's Day: Case for Equal Access for Nigerian Women
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