International Women's Day

International Women’s Day [IWD] is on Tuesday, March 8, 2011. As set by the United Nations, this year’s theme is “Equal access to education, training and science and technology: Pathway to decent work for women.” 
International Women's Day is a big, beautiful celebration of women's strengths and achievements. It's honoured in many different ways around the world. It's lauded by women's groups, and the date is commemorated at the United Nations. In China and 14 other countries, people get the day off work; in Bosnia and Italy women are given flowers by their brothers, husbands and fathers; and in Cameroon, women dance in the streets showing off outfits made from Women's Day fabric.
The UN explains it perfectly as, "the story of ordinary women as makers of history; it is rooted in the centuries-old struggle of women to participate in society on an equal footing with men". It's a day that's as relevant today, as it was when it was first marked in 1911. Back then, an impressive one million women and men attended rallies in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland all demanding the right for women to vote, hold public office, work and have equal pay.
But whilst it's a day of celebration, it's also a rallying cry. It's a time to ask ourselves big, important questions about how a woman's life really compares to that of a man's. And not just here; but all around the world. Because although impressive life-changing advances have been made since that momentous day in 1911, there's still quite a way to go.
Interesting links:
The history of IWD at the UN site
We are Equals
Girls,Inc. Inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold

The following is a video celebrating the achievements of women throughout history to the song Sisters Are Doing it For Themselves (lyrics here)



 And this is a short documentary  made to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of International Women's Day by UN Women Australia.. 'On Her Shoulders' follows the history of International Women's Day and the struggles women have faced. In addition, it looks at what still needs to be achieved to ensure that gender equality can be fully realised.