NASW Celebrates International Women’s Day

The first International Women’s Day was celebrated in Germany, Denmark, Austria and other European countries on March 19, 1911. Currently March 8th has been designated as International Women’s Day.1 International Women’s Day celebrates the economic, social, cultural and political achievements of women throughout the world as they come together in the spirit of sisterhood. This sisterhood respectively honors and celebrates the achievements of female pioneers and emerging leaders through education, empowerment, social justice advocacy, development, entrepreneurship, and peace activism.

Women's equality not only benefits women. Typically every one-percentile growth in female secondary schooling results in a 0.3 percent growth in a given economy. However, girls are often kept from receiving education in the poorest countries that would best benefit from the economic growth.

In recent decades, much progress has been made. On a worldwide level, women's access to education and proper health care has increased; their participation in the paid labor force has grown; and legislation that promises equal opportunities for women and respect for their human rights has been adopted in many countries. The world now has an ever- growing number of women participating in society as policy-makers. However, nowhere in the world can women claim to have all the same rights and opportunities as men. On average, women receive between 30 and 40 per cent less pay than men earn for the same work.2

¹International Women’s Day. http://www.internationalwomensday.com/default.asp
²United Nations. http://www.un.org/cyberschoolbus/womensday/pages/how_content_3.asp

Get involved! Use March 8th as a day of advocacy! Listed here are local and international events that celebrate Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day:

Global IWD 2006: Inspiring Potential 
http://www.internationalwomensday.com/events/

Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) 50th Session
27 February – 10 March 2006
www.un.org/womenswatch/daw.csw/50sess.htm

The International Rescue Committee celebrates International Women's Day at the new Dustin's on Eastern Ave. (in the old Housner's building).
March 11th, 2006.
Tickets are $30/ $20 for students and proceeds will be used to purchase small household basics, diapers and personal hygiene supplies, and to contribute towards daycare for mothers struggling to access employment and English training.  Dr. Anne Brodsky, director of Women’s Studies at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County, will speak on the resilience and empowerment of women affected by oppression, civil conflict and poverty.  Refugee women will exhibit crafts, play music and tell stories from African, Asian, and European countries. More information: Ann Flagg 410-558-3177