International Women's Day

Happy International Women's Day

Now an official holiday in Afghanistan, Armenia, Cambodia, China (for women only), Cuba, Georgia, Kazakhstan (yes it is a real country for those still thinking it is the fantasy land that created Borat - and I know you do exist), Laos, Madagascar (for women only), Mongolia, Nepal (for women only), ussia, Uganda, Ukraine, Vietnam and a whole load of other countries I have never heard of, International Women's Day has been observed since the 1900's. It was a time of great expansion and turbulence in the industrialized world that saw booming population growth and the rise of radical ideologies.

Every year, on the 8th of March, traditionally, men are to honour their mothers, wives, girlfriends, colleagues etc, by offering them flowers and small gifts. I sure hope i get something good today from my Driving Instructor...

Even Google cares

Thousands of events are held throughout the world today to inspire women and celebrate their achievements thus far in history, connecting women from all around the world with diverse local activities such as political rallies, business conferences, government activities and networking events through to local women's craft markets, theatric performances, fashion parades and more. (I can hear you thinking "hmm, not just shopping then"). The united States even designates the whole month of March as 'Women's History Month.' How nice.

"The new millennium has witnessed a significant change and attitudinal shift in both women's and society's thoughts about women's equality and emancipation. Many from a younger generation feel that 'all the battles have been won for women' while many feminists from the 1970's know only too well the longevity and ingrained complexity of patriarchy. With more women in the boardroom, greater equality in legislative rights, and an increased critical mass of women's visibility as impressive role models in every aspect of life, one could think that women have gained true equality. The unfortunate fact is that women are still not paid equally to that of their male counterparts, women still are not present in equal numbers in business or politics, and globally women's education, health and the violence against them is worse than that of men.

However, great improvements have been made. We do have female astronauts and prime ministers, school girls are welcomed into university, women can work and have a family, women have real choices. And so the tone and nature of IWD has, for the past few years, moved from being a reminder about the negatives to a celebration of the positives."

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