Message from International President Alice Wells:

Each
year around the world, International Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8.
Thousands of events occur not just on this day but throughout March to mark the
economic, political and social achievements of women. In fact, International
Women’s Day has been observed since the early 1900’s.

International
Women’s Day is about supporting and respecting women everywhere — in every
corner of the globe, in boardrooms and in the home. The day is now
celebrated in dozens of countries around the world with thousands of events to
inspire women and celebrate achievements. 
A global web of rich and diverse local activity connects women from all
around the world ranging from political rallies, business conferences,
government activities and networking events to local women’s craft markets,
theater performances, fashion parades and more.

 

SI Eldoret, Kenya, donated a water tank to a maternity hospital to mark International Women’s Day 2011. 

Each
year the United Nations declares an overall International Women’s Day theme.
Their 2012 theme is “Empower Rural Women – End Hunger and Poverty”.

Whether they’re coming together to fight climate change, or starting
their own businesses through savings and lending groups, women often lead on
the solutions that help people overcome poverty.

All
of us–women and men alike–can help by supporting women’s efforts to claim their
legal rights, live free from violence, earn a decent income, get an education,
grow food for their families, and make their voices heard in their communities
and beyond.

 

International Women’s Day 2011 in the DRC, photo courtesy of Women for Women International.

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.

So
make a difference, think globally and act locally! Make everyday International
Women’s Day. Do your bit to ensure that the future for our women and girls
worldwide is bright, equal, safe and rewarding.

 

SI Karachi Central host a Join Me on the Bridge event in 2011. They will be doing the same this year!

As
SI/SWP President-elect Siew Yong so eloquently stated in her International
Women’s Day message: 

“Let’s acknowledge
all the progress we have made towards a more equitable status for women and
remember the women who have contributed towards this progress. We have more to
do and each one of us can our little bit to progress women’s achievements and
status even further.”

 

Please share the photos of your celebrations through the SI facebook page, or email your stories to hq@soroptimistinternational.org.