Authors: Alyona Kozlova, Ekaterina Glagoleva
Interviewees: IJsbrand van Lambalgen, Kiia Heikkilä
It originated more than 100 years ago. On February 28, 1909, the Socialist Party of America organized the first National Woman's Day, which took place on the last Sunday in February. In 1910 Clara Zetkin — the leader of Germany’s 'Women's Office' for the Social Democratic Party — proposed the idea of a global International Women's Day, so that people around the world could celebrate at the same time. On March 19, 1911, the first International Women's Day was held and more than 1 million people in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Denmark took part.
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The celebration of IWD got women the vote in Russia. In 1917, women in Russia honored the day by beginning a strike for "bread and peace" as a way to protest World War I and advocate for gender parity. Czar Nicholas II, the country's leader at the time, was not impressed and instructed to shoot any woman who refused to stand down. But the women wouldn't be intimidated and continued their protests, which led the Czar to abdicate just days later. The provisional government then granted women in Russia the right to vote.
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The United Nations officially adopted International Women’s Day in 1975 and celebrated it on March 8th for the first time. Since then, the UN has become the primary sponsor of the annual event and has encouraged even more countries around the world to embrace the holiday and its goal of celebrating "acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities."
Each year’s IWD festivities have an official theme. In 1997, it was "Women at the Peace Table," then "Women and Human Rights" in 1998. They've continued this themed tradition in the years since; for 2022, it's #BreakTheBias :
Imagine a gender equal world.
A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination.
A world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive.
A world where difference is valued and celebrated
Together we can forge women's equality.
Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias.
The UN urges people to cross their arms in solidarity and share your #BreakTheBias image, video, presentation or articles on social media using #IWD2022 #BreakTheBias to encourage further people to commit to helping forge an inclusive world.
©https://www.internationalwomensday.com/Theme
International Women's Day is a day of celebration around the world, and an official holiday in dozens of countries. Afghanistan, Cuba, Vietnam, Uganda, Mongolia, Georgia, Laos, Cambodia, Armenia, Belarus, Montenegro, Russia, and Ukraine are just some of the places where March 8th is recognized as an official holiday.
The 8th of March in Russia is the day of beauty and spring. Almost all men in the country congratulate their moms, wives, girlfriends, daughters, sisters or even colleagues. In Russia there is a small tradition to give tulips on this day. Also, some men are choosing mimosa like one of the most popular spring flowers. This feature came from the USSR, when there wasn’t much choice of flowers in the shops and mimosa was a perfect symbol of the beginning of spring.
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To be honest, IWD in Russia is mostly the special day when all women can feel really strong, gorgeous and needed. We asked more than 10 women and they told us that on 8th March they feel loved. Actually because russian women and girls have a tradition to congratulate each other and give small presents. Russian IWD concentrates almost on love to all women.
Our colleague - journalist from the Thomas More University in Belgium IJsbrand van Lambalgen explained to us how IWD is celebrated in Belgium, whether this holiday is significant for them and what problems do feminists cover in Belgium.
- Hey! Can you tell us, how is International Womens Day celebrated in Belgium? Do you have any traditions (for example, in Russia it is customary to give flowers, gifts)? Do you have some similar traditions?
There’s not much tradition that I’m aware of, only people congratulating each other face to face or on Social Media. Though I do sense a trend of commercialisation, where retailers offer discounts or try to highlight how progressive they are (which is often ethical whitewashing).
- Is International Womens Day the same large-scale holiday in Belgium as in Russia? Do you have a day off on this day and any celebrations in the cities?
Belgium doesn’t officially observe Women’s Day on the 8th of March. Since 1972 it has been celebrated as National Women’s Day on the 11th of November, which coincides with Armistice. However there has been progressively more interest in celebrating on the 8th of March. A centre-left socialist-leaning party (spa/Vooruit) has been trying to formally recognise the 8th of March as a holiday, but that proposed law has been under consideration since 2004. In addition to that, RoSa, a feminist non-profit, is organising yearly activities on the 8th of March. This year they’re calling on women to stop all work for 24 hours, including invisible work such as care and household, to highlight the important and underappreciated role that women play in society.
- Do women in Belgium congratulate women on International Womens Day or is it customary to congratulate only men? Because in Russia women always congratulate women (acquaintances, friends) and even give gifts.
I feel that it’s most common among women, as they are more aware of these things, but it’s not taboo or anything for men to congratulate women. I think it’s getting more common for men, as more people in general become aware of Women’s Day and why it’s important.
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However, in some countries, International Women's Day isn’t a very important holiday, for example, in Finland. Kiia Heikkilä, another student from Thomas More University, also told us about the celebration of March 8 in her home country:
“International Women’s Day isn’t really a big deal in Finland. Many people congratulate their women, friends, family and people they work with, but it’s not common to give gifts. Some might share on social media some important accomplishments made regarding equality in Finland or in the world. Some women receive flowers from loved ones and most commonly I think the flowers are tulips. All and all women’s day isn’t nearly as important in Finland than it is in Russia. More important is Mother's Day, which we celebrate in May!”
In different countries International Women's Day is treated in various ways. For some this is a grandiose holiday, people rejoice at the arrival of spring and warmth and congratulate their favorite and close women. Someone perceives March 8 as a day when it is especially important to talk about the rights and problems of the female sex. One way or another, it is very important and wondering to analyse the attitude and mood of people to this holiday in different countries.
Aided by the growth of feminism in the 1960s and UN support in 70s, the IWD experienced a revitalization in the late 20th century. Today, it is a great opportunity to make our moms, grandmothers, sisters and friends really happy. Also, it is an important occasion for promoting women’s issues and rights, especially in developing countries. We have to talk about women’s rights every day but 8th of March is the symbol of girls’ power. Women are strong and they can prove it.
