International Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8 every year to mark the contribution of women to society across the globe.
It has been observed since the early 1900s and is now recognised each year on March 8. Is is not affiliated with any one group, but brings together governments, women’s organisations, corporations and charities.
How did it start?
It’s difficult to say exactly when IWD (as it’s known) began. Its roots can be traced to 1908, when 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding voting rights, better pay and shorter working hours.
A year later, the first National Woman’s Day was observed in the US on February 28, in accordance with a declaration by the Socialist Party of America.
In 1910, a woman called Clara Zetkin – leader of the ‘women’s office’ for the Social Democratic Party in Germany – tabled the idea of an International Women’s Day. She suggested that every country should celebrate women on one day every year to push for their demands.
A conference of more than 100 women from 17 countries agreed to her suggestion and IWD was formed. In 1911, it was celebrated for the first time in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland on March 19.
In 1913, it was decided to transfer IWD to March 8, and it has been celebrated on that day ever since. The day was only recognised by the United Nations in 1975, but ever since it has created a theme each year for the celebration.
What is happening in Uganda today?
Women’s day celebrations today are taking place at Dokolo Technical School in Dokolo district. It is reported that His Excellency the president of Uganda Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is expected to be the chief guest at this function that will be broadcast live on several stations in the Country.
This year’s theme is Women empowerment in the changing world of work.
Recent figures:
– 2014 results show that there are 16,935,456 million males in Uganda, compared to 17,921,357 million females. Meaning, the national sex ratio stands at 94.5 males for every 100 females.
-In 2013, Uganda Bureau of Statistics, reported that close to 70% of “ever-married women aged 15 to 49 had experienced some form of violence” at the hands of their partner.
-A 2014 report by the Uganda National Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) indicatesd that, “three out of every five unemployed persons were women with the urban areas (70 per cent) depicting a higher proportion compared to the rural areas (42 per cent)”.
-The number of hours spent by working women in non-economic activities (26 hours per week) was almost four times that spent by men (7 hours).” “Findings further indicate that women outnumber men in both self-employment and individuals working as contributing family workers.
– One third of the working population engaged in wage employment was women
-The Inter parliament Union (IPU) ranked Uganda at number 16 worldwide on the proportion of women in national legislators (UNDP, 2012).
-In the just concluded elections of 2016, district women representatives were directly elected by all voters on a special ballot in each district for women candidates only and about 35% of the whole Parliament is constituted of women.
What is happening around the world?
Internationally, the theme for this year’s observance is “Be Bold For Change.”
It challenges each individual to be leaders within the spheres of influence by engaging in a practical action to narrow the gender gap and help women and girls realize their full potential.
“Why do we need to “be bold for change”? For starters, complacency is dangerous. We simply cannot afford to sit back and wait for change or to continue to do more of more of what’s already not working in the hope that at some point it will.” Margie Warrell an author, speaker and Ambassador for Women in Global Business has told Forbes.
Adding: “Yes, it’s time that we all committed to #BeBoldForChange. Not for the sake of a bigger salary or larger office. Not just for the sake of improving the stats or removing the stigma of female ambition. We must be bold for the sake of all the talent and human potential that is left untapped and for the sake of the world that all our children and our children’s children will one day inhabit.”
“Change extends from the inside out. If you’ve ever wondered if there’s more you could be doing than you’ve done so far, the answer is yes and the time is now.”
This day is marked around the world with arts performances, talks, rallies, networking events, conferences and marches.
Over the years, the International Women’s Day movement has helped to bring about a major change in the world and women are looked upon with respect and dignity, but there is a long way to go before women get the respect they deserve from men.
Compilation by Aaron Sseruyigo, Nakalungi Christine.
