United Nations*, New York, 6 March 2015 – “I already heard in the past that women and men are equal,” said Firuza Sirojeva, a schoolgirl in Tajikistan, after attending a workshop on women’s rights. “But here, at the training, I learned that it might be real.”
This year, International Women’s Day, on 8 March, marks 20 years since the historic World Conference on Women in Beijing underlined gender equality as a global priority.
Solid evidence links the advancement of women’s and girls’ empowerment to the health, education, productivity and welfare of future generations. Yet, around the world, gender equality remains elusive.
7 March 2015 (RT)* – A report from France’s professional equality council details alarming sexism in the workplace, with 80 percent of women claiming to be victims. The French government has called these practices “unacceptable.”
Source: RT
A survey was carried out by the Higher Council of Professional Equality (CSEP), which polled 15,000 French women in 2013. CSEP has now come out with a report that details the impact of sexism on confidence and performance in women, using the data gathered earlier.
The majority of women in the French workplace say they experience chauvinistic attitudes from men on a regular basis. These include patronizing greetings, such as those followed by some diminutive term, and a host of other things to do with sexist decision-making by superiors and, of course, sexist jokes.
All around the world, International Women’s Day represents an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women while calling for greater equality.*
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Source: International Women’s Day 2015
Make It Happen is the 2015 theme for our internationalwomensday.com global hub, encouraging effective action for advancing and recognising women.
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.
Various organisations identify their own International Women’s Day theme, specific to their local context and interests.
By Oxfam*, 7 March 2015 — Four women who live in camps in South Sudan told us about their difficulties, their challenges and their hope.
Source: Oxfam
Cecilia* – Displaced in UN House, Juba
Cecilia was born and raised in Bentiu, Upper Nile state in South Sudan. She was expecting her third child when the crisis began in December 2013. In search of safety, Cecilia fled to the UN compound to keep her family safe. In June, she relocated to Juba and is now living in “UN House,” a camp where the UN is providing protection for displaced people.
By Oxfam*, 6 March 2015— “Repeated floods and disturbed rain patterns were depriving us of food. Even when there were no floods, early or late rain spells became a permanent threat to our crops which are the source of our livelihoods. I had not heard of the climate change phenomenon. I only later found out that this is the result of climate change.”
Source: Oxfam
Hakim Mai is a 27 year old mother of two small children living in the Multan District of the Punjab Province in Pakistan. “Our district is bearing the brunt of the worst impacts of climate change at present,” she says.
“I was part of a poor community, facing persistent threats to our livelihoods from the effects of climate change.” Hakim and her family members often had to go to bed hungry.
“But then I decided to make a difference, and I am happy with the results of my efforts. I can see how it has improved life for my family and my community.”
HUMAN WRONGS WATCH 