History of International Women's Day
International Women's Day was first celebrated in 1911 having been proposed a year earlier at the International Conference of Socialist Women in Copenhagen.
Every year since, organisations and individuals across the world have recognised the achievements of women and their contribution to society on 8 March - International Women's Day
On this day, women can celebrate the progress that has been made but also contemplate those areas of women's lives where more can be done.
Women's access to education, health care and paid labour has improved, and many countries have adopted legislation that promises equal opportunities for women and respect for their human rights.
Despite this, nowhere in the world can women claim to have all the same rights and opportunities as men. Until we all work together to achieve gender equality and secure the rights and full potential of women, lasting solutions to social, economic and political problems are unlikely to be found.
On International Women's Day, like any other day, women around the world will suffer as victims of sexual assault, domestic violence and discrimination. In war, women will be raped, families will be shattered and many remain, displaced, in refugee camps.
We need to see changes that transform relationships between women and men so women will be able to reach their social, financial, political and personal potential.
International Women's Day 2010
The United Nation theme for International Women's Day 2010 is equal rights, equal opportunities: progress for all - a theme that goes straight to the heart of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Improving gender equality between men and woman is central to achieving these goals. Without gender equality, women will continue to struggle to fully participate in the economic, social and political life of their countries, all key factors in reducing poverty, enhancing economic growth and democratic governance, and increasing the well-being of women, girls and their families.
For information on International Women's Day events in your locality, please check the websites listed below.
International Women's Day 2009
In 2009, the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP and the Office for Women celebrated International Women's Day with an official lunch co-hosted by Cricket Australia during the Australia versus New Zealand match of the International Cricket Council's (ICC) Women's World Cup at North Sydney Oval.
International Women's Day 2008
- As part of International Women's Day in 2008, a panel of five prominent Australian women, facilitated by the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, discussed and debated the biggest social changes of the past 100 years. The panel discussion covered topics such as pay equity, balancing work and home, industrial relations, retirement savings and being successful in the workplace.
Speeches
Related websites