An international celebration of education and empowermenthttp://www.internationalwomensday.com/about.asp
Around the world, International Women's Day (IWD) marks a celebration of the economic, social, cultural and political achievements for women.
The first IWD was held on 19 March 1911 in Germany, Austria, Denmark and further European countries. German women selected this date because in 1848 the Prussian king had promised the vote for women. Subsequently over one million leaflets calling for action on the right to vote were distributed throughout Germany before IWD in 1911. Now IWD is always celebrated on 8 March and is an occasion marked by women's groups around the world. This date is also commemorated at the United Nations and is designated in many countries as a national holiday. Women in every country, often divided by ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic and political differences, come together to celebrate this important date that represents equality, justice, peace and development.
I was just pondering on some things. I was thinking how to express my own thoughts about women in the Philippines today. I guess I was stirred by what happened at Welcome Rotonda when Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel was arrested today during a rally that aims to call attention to women's rights.
We have a president that is a woman. Let it be on record here-- that I did not vote for her. In hindsight, I am glad that I followed my woman's intuition at that time.
Isn't it ironic now celebrating women's day, that women's right to express themselves are violated. Ironic that we have the right to vote, but we have a woman seated in "power" who doesn't seem to understand the long history of struggle of women. A global historical development that in part has helped her to be where she is now.
Interesting trivia...that these things happened at a time of the lenten season when the theme color of which is purple.
Purple is also the international women's color.
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