Tomorrow, Tuesday 8 March, is International Women’s Day.

International Women’s Day originated from the trade union movement in America in the early 20th century, particularly in the activism of the women who worked in the clothing industry “sweatshops” of the time. In 1907 the women held a “Hunger March” in New York in protest at the dangerous working conditions and very long working periods, and calling for a ten-hour working day and improved wages. The police attacked the march, and the following year on March 8th 1908 a commemorative march was held, which became a milestone in women’s history. This date is what we now celebrate as International Women’s day.

The Charter of the United Nations, signed in San Francisco in 1945, became the first international agreement to proclaim gender equality as a fundamental human right. In 1975, during International Women's Year, the United Nations began celebrating International Woman’s Day on 8 March. Two years later, 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. In adopting its resolution, the General Assembly recognized the role of women in peace efforts and development and urged an end to discrimination and an increase of support for women’s full and equal participation.

The United Nations today argues that no enduring solution to society's most threatening social, economic and political problems can be found without the full participation, and the full empowerment, of the world's women. The UN theme for International Women’s Day this year is "Gender Equality Beyond 2005: Building a More Secure Future".

We enclose below a message from the United Nation’s Secretary General, Kofi Anan, for International Women’s Day:

This year marks a milestone in the movement for gender equality and the advancement of women -- the 10-year review of the Beijing Conference and Platform for Action. In 1995, women gathered in Beijing and took a giant step forward on behalf of humankind. As a result, the world recognized explicitly, as never before, that gender equality is critical to the development and peace of every nation. Ten years on, women are not only more aware of their rights; they are more able to exercise them.

Over this decade, we have seen tangible progress on many fronts. Life expectancy and fertility rates have improved. More girls are enrolled in primary education. More women are earning an income than ever before. At the same time, new challenges have emerged. Consider the trafficking of women and children -- an odious but increasingly common practice. Or the increasing targeting of women in armed conflict. Or the terrifying growth of HIV/AIDS among women -- especially young women.

Yet as we look back on the past decade, one thing stands out above all else: we have learnt that the challenges facing women are not problems without solutions. We have learnt what works and what doesn’t. If we are to change the historical legacy that puts women at a disadvantage in most societies, we must implement what we have learnt on a larger scale. We must take specific, targeted action in a number of areas.

This year offers a precious opportunity for doing that, as the world’s leaders prepare to gather for a summit at the United Nations in September to review progress in implementing the Millennium Declaration, agreed in 2000 by all the world’s governments as a blueprint for building a better world in the twenty-first century. As part of that process, I would urge the international community to remember that promoting gender equality is not only women’s responsibility -- it is the responsibility of all of us.
Sixty years have passed since the founders of the United Nations inscribed, on the first page of our Charter, the equal rights of women and men. Since then, study after study has taught us that there is no tool for development more effective than the empowerment of women. No other policy is as likely to raise economic productivity, or to reduce infant and maternal mortality. No other policy is as sure to improve nutrition and promote health -- including the prevention of HIV/AIDS. No other policy is as powerful in increasing the chances of education for the next generation. And I would venture that no policy is more important in preventing conflict, or in achieving reconciliation after a conflict has ended.

Whatever the very real benefits of investing in women, the most important fact remains: women themselves have the right to live in dignity, in freedom from want and freedom from fear. On this International Women’s Day, let us rededicate ourselves to making that a reality.

For more information on International Women’s Day, please visit the following websites:

• International Women’s Day 2005: http://www.un.org/events/women/iwd/2005/
• A detailed look at the history behind International Women’s Day: http://www.isis.aust.com/iwd/stevens/contents.htm.
• Women Watch - Information and Resources on Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women: http://www.un.org/womenwatch/
• Review and Appraisal of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action: http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/Review/english/49sess.htm
  

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