History of International Women’s Day:

International Women’s Day (IWD) has been observed since the early 1900’s – a time of great expansion and turbulence in the industrialized world that saw booming population growth and the rise of radical ideologies.

• In 1909, In accordance with a declaration by the Socialist Party of America, the first National Woman’s Day (NWD) was observed across the United States on February 28.
• In 1910 a second International Conference of Working Women was held in Copenhagen. 
• A woman named Clara Zetkin (Leader of the ‘Women’s Office’ for the Social Democratic Party in Germany) tabled the idea of an International Women’s Day.
• Following the decision agreed at Copenhagen in Denmark in 1911, International Women’s Day was honoured the first time in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland on 19 March.
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• In 1917 on the last Sunday of February, Russian women began a strike for “bread and peace” in response to the death of over 2 million Russian soldiers in World War 1. 
• Opposed by political leaders, the women continued to strike until four days later the Czar was forced to abdicate and the provisional Government granted women the right to vote. 

• The date the women’s strike commenced was Sunday February 23 on the Julian calendar then in use in Russia. This day on the Gregorian calendar in use elsewhere was March 8.

International Women’s Day was celebrated for the first time by the United Nations in 1975. 

In December 1977, the General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming a United Nations Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace to be observed on any day of the year by Member States, in accordance with their historical and national traditions.

What colors symbolize International Women’s Day?

Purple, green and white are the colors of International Women’s Day. 

• Purple signifies justice and dignity.
• Green symbolizes hope. 
• White represents purity, albeit a controversial concept. 

The colors originated from the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) in the UK in 1908.

Need for an International Women’s Day:

According to the World Economic Forum, sadly none of us will see gender parity in our lifetimes, and nor likely will many of our children. Gender parity will not be attained for almost a century.

• Women, especially young women, are at the forefront of diverse and inclusive movements online and on the streets for social justice, climate change and equality in all parts of the world. 
• Yet, women under 30 are less than 1 per cent of parliamentarians worldwide. 
• This is why, this year’s International Women’s Day is a rallying cry for Generation Equality, to act for an equal future for all.

Source: UN.org and Indian Express