Every year on March 8th, we celebrate every woman’s achievements, from the political to the economic, and the social aspects of life, we come together to stand for gender equality!
When did International Women’s Day begin?
It is difficult to pinpoint the exact date, but the first ‘National Women’s Day’ (as it was called) was acknowledged in the US on February 28 1909. A Ukraine-born suffragist, named Clara Lemlich, demanded better pay, shorter working hours, and improved working conditions for 15,000 garment workers who had gone on a strike in New York. The following year, The Socialist Party of America announced the first National Women’s Day in honour of these workers.
The well-known ‘International Women’s Day’ was formalised in 1910, when a woman called Clara Zetkin proposed that every country should celebrate women on one day every year to push for their demands.
Slowly, the event began to gain traction around the world, and it was celebrated in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland on March 19 for the first time in 1911. (We can thank our lovely ladies, Clara!)
Following the outbreak of World War I in 1914, despite most attempts at disheartening the world, women continued to march and demonstrate on International Woman’s Day. And here we are today.
Why do we still celebrate it?
Although there has been significant progress in the world of women, there has not been enough. The original aim of full gender equality has not yet been succeeded. There is still a gender pay gap, female leaders are lacking, violence against women and girls persists, and women still fall behind men in terms of education and healthcare. When we come together as one, we shine a light on all the inequalities across the globe. and we become one step closer to finally being equal.
How can we show our support this year?
Great question! We encourage you to post an image to social media with your hands in a cross, and use the #breakthebias – as this is the theme for 2022!
To celebrate International Women’s Day in the office, why not bring yourselves together by doing a Virtual Moulded Candle Making Class?
To finish off, we must say a huge thank you to the women in our company. You’re doing a great job, and we appreciate you!