|
- International
Women's Day - March 8th
Celebrated since the beginning of the 20th Century, International Women's
day honours working women and women's struggles and promotes the empowerment
of women as equal members of society. In 1975, during International
Women's Year, the United Nations began celebrating March 8 as International
Women's Day. In 1977, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming
a United Nations Day for Women's Rights and International Peace to be
observed on a date to be chosen by each Member State. The General Assembly
cited two reasons for this proclamation: to recognize that securing
peace and social progress and the full enjoyment of human rights and
fundamental freedoms requires the active participation, equality, and
development of women; and to acknowledge the contribution of women to
the strengthening of international peace and security.
Timelines and fuller accounts of the origins of the day can be found
on many internet sites, including www.womensec.gov.sk.ca/historyIWD.html
and www.isis.aust.com/iwd/stevens/contents.htm.
- International
Day to Eliminate Violence Against Women - November 25th
In 1999 the UN General Assembly designated 25 November as International
Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and invited governments,
international organizations and NGOs to organize on that day activities
designated to raise public awareness on the problem.
For historical background and links to the UN Declaration on the Elimination
of Violence Against Women see: www.un.org/depts/dhl/violence/
- 16 Days of Activism
Against Gender Violence - November 25th-December 10th
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence is an international
campaign to link symbolically violence against women and human rights
and to emphasize that such violence is a violation of human rights.
It originated from the first Women's Global Leadership Institute sponsored
by the Center for Women's Global Leadership in 1991.
For more information see: http://www.cwgl.rutgers.edu/16days01/
- International
Human Rights Day - December 10th
On December 10, 1948, the United Nations adopted the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights, an effort aimed at securing basic
human rights for people of all nations. Since then, International Human
Rights Day has been an occasion on which people have demonstrated a
renewed commitment to fundamental freedoms and human rights for all.
- Take Back The
Night - dates varies by city and country
Take Back The Night rallies and marches throughout the world protest
the way violence permeates the lives of women, including sexual assaults,
rape and murder. Originating in Europe in the 1970's (different sources
cite Belgium, Germany and Great Britain as the first), Take Back The
Night events are now organized in Canada, Europe, Latin America and
the United States.
For background, see www.campusoutreachservices.com/resources/tbnhistor.htm.
- Women's History
Month - dates vary by country
In the United States (USA), Women's History Month had its origins
in a women's history week in Sonoma County, California. The week-long
celebration was intended to promote the teaching of women's history
- at that time a neglected subject in elementary and high school curricula.
The week of March 8th was chosen in order to include International Women's
Day . The United States Congress later passed a resolution in 1981 making
the week a national celebration. In 1987, The US Congress expanded the
celebration to the full month of March. In 1992, the Canadian Government
designated October a time to learn more about women's historic accomplishments
and their contributions to Canadian society. Australia launched Women's
History Month in 2000. For background, see womenshistory.about.com/library/weekly/aa030200a.htm
Return
to the SAAP page on Human Rights
|
 |
International Federation of University Women
10 rue du Lac, CH-1207 Geneva, Switzerland
Tel: (41.22) 731 23 80 Fax: (41.22) 738 04 40
E-mail: info@ifuw.org |
|
|
|
|
