There are many reasons to celebrate the women of the world on March 8. The reasons we celebrate are as similar and as different as women themselves.

We celebrate to:

• recognize that peace and social progress require the active participation and equality of women, and inequalities between women and men have serious consequences for the well-being of all people
• acknowledge the contribution of women to international peace and security
• reflect on the advancement and what is left to achieve in the struggle of women for their equality, peace, safety and development.

Read the following story online at www.internationalwomensday.com.

International Women’s Day 2014 Theme: INSPIRING CHANGE

Women’s equality has made positive gains but the world is still unequal. International Women’s Day celebrates the social, political and economic achievements of women while focusing world attention on areas requiring further action.

Inspiring Change is the 2014 theme for our internationalwomensday.com global hub and encourages advocacy for women’s advancement everywhere in every way. It calls for challenging the status quo for women’s equality and vigilance inspiring positive change.

The vast array of communication channels, supportive spokespeople, equality research, campaigns and corporate responsibility initiatives means everyone can be an advocate inspiring change for women’s advancement.

Each year International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8. The first International Women’s Day was held in 1911. Thousands of events occur to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women. Organisations, governments, charities, educational institutions, women’s groups, corporations and the media celebrate the day.

Some groups select their own International Women’s Day theme, specific to their local context. For example, the European Parliament’s 2013 theme was “Women’s response to the crisis” and their 2012 theme “Equal pay for work of equal value”.

The United Nations declares an annual theme*:

– 2013: A promise is a promise: Time for action to end violence against women
– 2012: Empower Rural Women – End Hunger and Poverty
– 2011: Equal access to education, training and science and technology
– 2010: Equal rights, equal opportunities: Progress for all
– 2009: Women and men united to end violence against women and girls
– 2008: Investing in Women and Girls
– 2007: Ending Impunity for Violence against Women and Girls
– 2006: Women in decision-making
– 2005: Gender Equality Beyond 2005: Building a More Secure Future
– 2004: Women and HIV/AIDS
– 2003: Gender Equality and the Millennium Development Goals
– 2002: Afghan Women Today: Realities and Opportunities
– 2001: Women and Peace: Women Managing Conflicts
– 2000: Women Uniting for Peace
– 1999: World Free of Violence against Women
– 1998: Women and Human Rights
– 1997: Women at the Peace Table
– 1996: Celebrating the Past, Planning for the Future
– 1975: United Nations recognizes International Women’s Day.

*Saskatchewan’s theme for 2014 is “Communities in Action:  Ending Violence Against Women and Girls”.

We can do it!

“An artist named J. Howard Miller first created the powerful “We Can Do It” image in 1942 as part of a defense industry campaign. That year, companies decided they were willing to hire women for their war production. To promote this, employers and government started a huge promotion to attract female workers.

In 1943, Norman Rockwell’s version of Rosie appeared in the Saturday Evening Post. Rockwell was the most popular illustrator in the USA, and when his drawing was published on the cover, millions of issues were sold all over the nation, boosting the Rosie myth. Soon the press picked up the story of Rose Hickey who was the record holder riveter at the TBM Avenger plant.”  ~ www.vector1.com