PrintUNA members mark International Women’s Day today
Look forward to 50-50 by 2030
Today is International Women’s Day, celebrated by women and men alike throughout the world.
As members of a profession in which women predominate, nurses are especially conscious of the need to continue the effort to secure justice and equality for girls and women everywhere, says UNA President Heather Smith.
The United Nations theme for International Women’s Day 2017 is “Women in the changing world of work: Planet 50-50 by 2030.”
But without a realignment of our thinking, that is unlikely: The World Economic Forum predicts that the world gender gap won’t close until 2186
“We have made strides in Alberta with our government’s emphasis on gender parity and women’s rights,” Smith said. “But we have a long road ahead of us, and we remain committed to continuing this important work – here at home and around the world.”
International Women’s Day began with the trade union movement and the struggle for workers’ rights, “which are the same as women’s rights,” she noted.
“On International Women’s Day, we celebrate the achievements of all women, regardless of national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political differences,” Smith said. “It is a great opportunity for all of us, regardless of our gender, to look ahead to the potential and future opportunities that our sisters, daughters and granddaughters can experience.”
The origins of International Women’s Day have been traced to labour disputes in New York City in 1857 and 1908, where workers protested the dangerous, overcrowded and exploitive working conditions of women in the garment industry.
The first International Women’s Day was celebrated in 1911. In 1977, the United Nations urged all countries to set aside a day to celebrate women’s rights.
The symbols of International Women’s Day are bread and roses – the bread representing women’s struggle for economic equality and the roses their women’s continuing efforts for a better quality of life.
