History of IWD

The first International Women's Day was celebrated on 19 March 1911 by women in Austria, Denmark, Germany and other European countries.  Today women throughout the world celebrate on 8 March, the day officially recognized by the United Nations since 1977.  UNIFEM, the United Nations Development Fund for Women, is the lead agency.

The theme of IWD activities varies by coutries. In the past, focus has been on the promotion of legal measures;, mobilization of public opinion and international action; training and research, including gender-disaggregated statistics; and direct assistance to disadvantaged groups.

This year IFUW suggested that national federations and associations, local groups and members plan activities that centred on "The elimination of all forms of discrimination and violence against the girl child", the theme of the Commission of the Status of Women in 2007.

Why the Girl Child?

Full empowerment of women is not possible without addressing the deprivations and inequalities suffered by girls. IFUW was one of the lead founders of the international network, the Working Group for Girls and played a key role in the adoption of Strategic Objective L on the Girl Child in the Beijing Platform for Action.

  1. Eliminate all forms of discrimination against the girl-child
  2. Eliminate negative cultural attitudes and practices against girls
  3. Promote and protect the rights of the girl-child and increase awareness of her needs and potential
  4. Eliminate discrimination against girls in education, skills development and training
  5. Eliminate discrimination against girls in health and nutrition
  6. Eliminate the exploitation of child labour and protect young girls at work
  7. Eradicate violence against the girl-child
  8. Promote the girl-child’s awareness of participation in social, economic and political life
  9. Strengthen the role of the family in improving the status of the girl-child.

Many of these are in line with the objectives of IFUW’s Programme for Action, Women: Agents for Change – Education, Information Society, Human Security and Peace.

The need for action to protect the rights of girls is greater than ever. The International Labour Office recently warned of violence faced by children in the workforce, ranging from physical or verbal abuse to sexual harassment, rape and even murder.   The UN Secretary General's 2006 World Report on Violence documented grave human rights violations girls endure during situations of armed conflict. The goals outlined above are far from realized.