International Women’s Day 2017

Female gender equality has been a major talking point around the world in the aftermath of America failing to vote in their first female president.

Not only that but America chose a candidate with questionable views on women, having been recorded as joking about sexual assault.

Tens of thousands took part in a protest against the US president after his inauguration last month and before that dozens of events took place to campaign against street violence, harassment and the right for a woman to decide whether or not to terminate a pregnancy.

International Women’s Day only a few weeks away now – a time when that focus will come under the spotlight once again.

Here is everything you need to know.

When is it?

International Women’s Day 2017 is on March 8.

What is it?

International Women’s Day – or IWD – is a global day to celebrate women, unity, reflection, advocacy and action.

It is also about highlight female social, economic, cultural and political achievements and is a time to push for gender parity.

The date has been marked since the early 1990s and is not attributed to any one organisation or charity. Instead it is a combination of governments, charities, corporations, academic institutions and women’s networks that take part.

‘The story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights,’ says world-renowned feminist, journalist and social and political activist Gloria Steinem.

The day is usually marked with a series of events including political rallies, business conferences, networking events, craft markets, fashion parades, theatrical performances and more. Even Google usually does its bit by doing a Google Doodle.

What is this year’s theme?

Women taking part in a march to celebrate International Women’s Day in London in 1973 (Picture; Getty Images)

This year’s theme is #BeBoldForChange. This is a call for change to make the world a more ‘gender inclusive’ place.

It’s about getting women to actively take part in something to help make a difference.

What are people doing for the date?

American activist Angela Davis, shortly after she was fired from her post as philosophy professor at UCLA due to her membership of the Communist Party of America in 1969 (Picture: Getty Images)

Women all over the world are planning to go on strike on March 8, including eight renowned feminist activists.

Angela Davis, Linda Martin Alcoff, Cinzia Arruzza, Nancy Fraser, Barbara Ransby, Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, Rasmea Yousef Odeh and Tithi Bhattacharya will all take part in the strike calling out ‘leab-in feminism’ and ‘corporate feminism’.

According to the activists, this brand of feminism has ‘failed the overwhelming majority of us, who do not have access to individual self-promotion and advancement and whose conditions of life can be improved only through policies that defend social reproduction, secure reproductive justice and guarantee labor rights’.

How you can get involved

Aside from the strike, there are hundreds of events taking place all over the world.

Source: http://metro.co.uk/2017/02/10/international-womens-day-2017-what-is-it-when-is-it-and-how-can-you-get-involved-6439782/