"Connecting Girls, Inspiring Futures" is the 2012 theme of the internationalwomensday.com website and this has been widely used by hundreds of organizations including schools, universities, governments, women’s groups and the private sector. Each year the United Nations declares an overall International Women’s Day theme. Their 2012 theme is “Empower Rural Women – End Hunger and Poverty”. Many organizations develop their own themes that are more relevant to their local contexts. For example, the European Parliament’s 2012 theme is "Equal pay for work of equal value".
World dignitaries including U.S. President Barack Obama and UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon proclaim official statements supporting International Women’s Day and its focus. British Prime Minister David Cameron marks the day with calls to eliminate violence against girls and women using social media initiatives to change and improve lives. Celebrity supporters for the day include singer-songwriter and We are Equals activist Annie Lennox, Avon Foundation advocate Reese Witherspoon and OXFAM supporters Helena Christensen and Kristin Davis.
For decades women have banded together to challenge injustices, overcome barriers and pursue equality. International Women\'s Day provides an opportunity to commemorate these efforts, celebrate progress and call for commitment to women’s rights, peace and equality. Social media and #womensday tweets provide a whole new way to interact, clearly a contrast to the days of pioneering suffragettes.
“Activity on International Women’s Day has skyrocketed over the last five years,” said Glenda Stone, founder of the internationalwomensday.com website that has served as a global hub for International Women’s Day events, resources and news for over a decade.
“This is due to the rise of social media, celebrity involvement, and corporations taking on the day sponsoring and running big events. Our twitter.com/womensday community with around 10,000 followers is phenomenal for sharing videos, information and news as it happens. Offline large scale women’s rallies have become even larger through the use of social media. It would be hard to find any country that did not celebrate the day in some way.”
International Women’s Day, which saw its first event run in 1911, continues to provide a powerful opportunity to unite, network and mobilize worldwide for meaningful change.
Upcoming event
The University of Minnesota Labor Education Service is pleased to host a special program with Minnesota AFL-CIO Field Director Jessica Hayssen, who recently participated in a Witness for Peace delegation to meet with women workers in Colombia. Hear about her experiences – and network with other women – on Saturday, March 10, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the CWA Local 7200 hall, 3521 E. Lake St., Minneapolis.
Jessica will discuss the many challenges facing women in Colombia and the common issues facing workers there and here. We’ll also celebrate International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month. This free event will feature light refreshments. Join us and bring a friend!
Share
"Connecting Girls, Inspiring Futures" is the 2012 theme of the internationalwomensday.com website and this has been widely used by hundreds of organizations including schools, universities, governments, women’s groups and the private sector. Each year the United Nations declares an overall International Women’s Day theme. Their 2012 theme is “Empower Rural Women – End Hunger and Poverty”. Many organizations develop their own themes that are more relevant to their local contexts. For example, the European Parliament’s 2012 theme is "Equal pay for work of equal value".
World dignitaries including U.S. President Barack Obama and UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon proclaim official statements supporting International Women’s Day and its focus. British Prime Minister David Cameron marks the day with calls to eliminate violence against girls and women using social media initiatives to change and improve lives. Celebrity supporters for the day include singer-songwriter and We are Equals activist Annie Lennox, Avon Foundation advocate Reese Witherspoon and OXFAM supporters Helena Christensen and Kristin Davis.
For decades women have banded together to challenge injustices, overcome barriers and pursue equality. International Women\’s Day provides an opportunity to commemorate these efforts, celebrate progress and call for commitment to women’s rights, peace and equality. Social media and #womensday tweets provide a whole new way to interact, clearly a contrast to the days of pioneering suffragettes.
“Activity on International Women’s Day has skyrocketed over the last five years,” said Glenda Stone, founder of the internationalwomensday.com website that has served as a global hub for International Women’s Day events, resources and news for over a decade.
“This is due to the rise of social media, celebrity involvement, and corporations taking on the day sponsoring and running big events. Our twitter.com/womensday community with around 10,000 followers is phenomenal for sharing videos, information and news as it happens. Offline large scale women’s rallies have become even larger through the use of social media. It would be hard to find any country that did not celebrate the day in some way.”
International Women’s Day, which saw its first event run in 1911, continues to provide a powerful opportunity to unite, network and mobilize worldwide for meaningful change.
Upcoming event
The University of Minnesota Labor Education Service is pleased to host a special program with Minnesota AFL-CIO Field Director Jessica Hayssen, who recently participated in a Witness for Peace delegation to meet with women workers in Colombia. Hear about her experiences – and network with other women – on Saturday, March 10, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the CWA Local 7200 hall, 3521 E. Lake St., Minneapolis.
Jessica will discuss the many challenges facing women in Colombia and the common issues facing workers there and here. We’ll also celebrate International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month. This free event will feature light refreshments. Join us and bring a friend!